Cognitive tolerability following successful long term treatment of major depression and anxiety disorders with SSRi antidepressants

Abstract Background The present study aims to evaluate cognitive tolerability profile of SSRIs in long-term treatment. The secondary aim is to explore differences of side effects profile between patients with major depression (MD) and anxiety disorders (AD). Methods Sixty-seven consecutive patients,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of affective disorders 2015-03, Vol.173, p.211-215
Main Authors: Popovic, Dina, Vieta, Eduard, Fornaro, Michele, Perugi, Giulio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Antidepressant
Antidepressive Agents - adverse effects
Antidepressive Agents - pharmacology
Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use
Anxiety Disorders - drug therapy
Anxiety Disorders - psychology
Apathy - drug effects
Cognition - drug effects
Cognitive side effects
Depressive Disorder, Major - drug therapy
Depressive Disorder, Major - psychology
Fatigue - chemically induced
Female
Humans
Long-term
Male
Memory Disorders - chemically induced
Middle Aged
Psychiatry
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - adverse effects
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - pharmacology
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - therapeutic use
SSRI
Tolerability
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Summary:Abstract Background The present study aims to evaluate cognitive tolerability profile of SSRIs in long-term treatment. The secondary aim is to explore differences of side effects profile between patients with major depression (MD) and anxiety disorders (AD). Methods Sixty-seven consecutive patients, successfully treated with SSRIs in monotherapy for at least six months for MD or AD, were assessed for side effects, with a special focus on cognition. Results Over 20% of MD and AD patients in long term treatment with SSRIs reported cognitive symptoms including fatigue, inattentiveness, lack of concentration, memory impairment and apathy. Recall memory impairment, attention deficit and somnolence were most frequently rated as moderate or severe. There were no significant differences in SSRI cognitive side effects profile between MD and AD patients. Limitations Subjective measure of cognitive functioning, limited sample size, lack of a control group. Conclusions A large proportion of depressed and anxious patients treated successfully with SSRIs for over six months reported cognitive, affective, motivational symptoms. These symptoms are likely to represent SSRI side effects rather than residual depressive symptomatology.
ISSN:0165-0327
1573-2517
DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2014.11.008