Researchers from Wuhan University, China, reviewed 30 studies involving 1,610 patients that looked at the effects of anti-inflammatories on symptoms of depression. Their findings, published in the journal of neurology, show that aspirin or ibuprofen would be effective in the treatment of major depressive disorder.
30% of patients do not respond to medication
Major depressive disorder (MDD), which affects approximately 6% of adults worldwide each year, is difficult to manage. Despite a wide variety of medical or psychological treatments, about 3 out of 10 patients experience drug-resistant depression. In addition, a large number of treatment-responsive patients have high relapse and recurrence rates. Doctors are therefore on the trail of new treatments, such as ketamine for example.
Several recent studies have shown elevated levels of inflammatory markers in patients with depression. The Chinese researchers therefore conducted a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of anti-inflammatories versus a placebo, either as monotherapy or as an add-on treatment in patients with MDD. Among the anti-inflammatory treatments selected, there was aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but also statins, omega-3 fatty acids or corticosteroids.
“Our systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that anti-inflammatory drugs exert an antidepressant effect in the treatment of MDD and are generally safe with rates of adverse effects similar to placebo. However, due to the chronic course of the disease, quality of life and adverse effects should be thoroughly studied in high-quality randomized clinical trials with long-term follow-up” conclude the researchers.
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