Suicidality and self-injury with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in youth: Occurrence, predictors and timing.

OBJECTIVE: Meta-analyses have established a heightened risk of suicidality for youth treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The present study investigates the risk and possible predictors of suicidality and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) associated with SSRI treatment in a clinical sample of children and adolescents. METHODS: An observational, longitudinal, retrospective study using a within-subject study design including in- and outpatients aged 0-17 years treated with SSRIs. Data were obtained from digital medical records and prescription software. RESULTS: N = 365 patients were included (64.1% female), mean (SD) age 14.5 (2.04) years, with primary depression, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder. No suicides occurred. When comparing the 6-week period immediately prior to versus following SSRI initiation, the patient proportion with broadly defined suicidality decreased (38.5% vs. 24.2%, p < 0.001) while the proportion with suicide attempts was stable (2.8% vs. 2.8%, p = 1.000). The proportion with NSSI decreased statistically non-significantly (12.4% vs. 8.4%, p = 0.067). Results from individually standardized observation periods were similar; however, the proportion with suicide attempts decreased statistically non-significantly and the proportion with NSSI decreased significantly. Suicidality during SSRI treatment was associated with previous suicidality (OR[CI] = 6.0 [2.4-14.8], p < 0.001), depression as indication for SSRI treatment (OR[CI] = 2.1 [1.2-3.7], p = 0.01), female sex (OR[CI] = 2.1 [1.1-4.1], p = 0.02) and previous NSSI (OR[CI] = 2.0 [1.2-3.5], p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Suicidality was common in youth treated with SSRIs. The patient proportion with overall suicidality decreased, and the proportion with attempted suicide was stable in the weeks following SSRI initiation. Previous suicidality, depression, female sex and previous NSSI are important predictors for suicidality during SSRI treatment in youth.

Clinician compliance to recommendations regarding the risk of suicidality with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of children and adolescents.

Meta-analyses of randomized-controlled trials have established a heightened risk of suicidality for children and adolescents treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The present study examined to what extent daily clinical practice complied with specific recommendations regarding the risk of suicidality when treating children and adolescents with SSRIs. All in- and outpatients aged 0-17 years at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Capital Region of Denmark with a prescription for SSRI on January 1st, 2016 were identified. Data were obtained for n = 365 patients regarding the level of clinician compliance to deliver pre-consent information about adverse effects, monitor for suicidality, and provide non-pharmacological interventions. 81.7% (n = 298) of patients received pre-consent information about adverse effects. 67.7% (n = 247) were monitored for suicidality within 6 weeks after SSRI initiation. Children (0-13 years) were less likely to be monitored for suicidality compared to adolescents (14-17 years) (49.6% vs. 77.5%, p < 0.001). Patients with depression as indication for SSRI treatment were more likely to be monitored for suicidality than patients with other indications (OR = 3.4, p = 0,002) and more likely to receive information specifically about suicidality (34.7% vs. 19.7%, p = 0.002). Respectively, 89.3% (n = 326) and 93.4% (n = 341) of all SSRI-treated patients were treated with non-pharmacological interventions prior to and in parallel with SSRI treatment. For the majority of cases, treatment of children and adolescents with SSRI complied with recommendations from clinical guidelines. However, patients of younger age and/or with indications for SSRIs other than depression were less likely to be managed according to recommendations.