Are SSRIs linked with lower mortality risk in COVID-19?

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Created On: 07/05/2022

A retrospective cohort multicenter study was carried out to determine the link of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) with outcomes in coronavirus-infected people by assessing a large electronic health records database.

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Key take away

Using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may decrease mortality among people diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Background

Method

Using propensity score matching and a large electronic health records database illustrating a diverse population of 83,584 people with SARS-CoV-2 infection, SSRI-treated people were compared with matched control people not treated with SSRIs.

The duration of participant follow-up was as long as eight months in 87 medical care centers. In this study, (a) fluoxetine, (b) fluoxetine or fluvoxamine, and (3) other SSRIs (not fluvoxamine or fluoxetine) were investigated. Death was the major endpoint ascertained.

Result

Overall, 3401 adult subjects with COVID-19 prescribed SSRIs (59.8% women) were recognized. Within a defined time period, 470 received fluoxetine only (280 females [59.6%]), 481 received fluoxetine or fluvoxamine (285 females [59.3%]), and 2898 received other SSRIs (1733 females [59.8%]).

In comparison with matched untreated control subjects, the relative risk (RR) of mortality was decreased in people prescribed any SSRI (497 of 3401 [14.6%] vs 1130 of 6802 [16.6%]; RR, 0.92); fluoxetine or fluvoxamine (48 of 481 [10.0%] vs 956 of 7215 [13.3%]; RR, 0.74); and fluoxetine (46 of 470 [9.8%] vs 937 of 7050 [13.3%]; RR, 0.72). No profound link was noted between mortality chance and receiving any SSRI that is not fluvoxamine or fluoxetine (447/2898 [15.4%] vs 1474/8694 [17.0%]; RR, 0.92).

Conclusion

SSRIs may be linked with a reduction in mortality risk among SARS-CoV-2 patients, as reflected in the decreased RR of mortality. However, additional investigation is warranted for elucidating impact of SSRIs on the severity of COVID-19 outcomes.