Depression, antidepressants and low hemoglobin level in the Paris Prospective Study III: A cross-sectional analysis

• Published in: Preventive medicine Vol. 135; p. 106050
• Main Authors: Vulser, Hélène, Lemogne, Cédric, Boutouyrie, Pierre, Côté, Francine, Perier, Marie-Cécile, Van Sloten, Thomas, Hoertel, Nicolas, Danchin, Nicolas, Limosin, Frédéric, Jouven, Xavier, Empana, Jean-Philippe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.06.2020
• Subjects: Aged; Anemia - complications; Antidepressant; Antidepressive Agents - classification; Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use; Cohort study; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Depression - drug therapy; Epidemiology; Female; France; Hemoglobin; Hemoglobins - deficiency; Humans; Internal Medicine; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - therapeutic use; France; Antidepressant; Hemoglobin; Depression; Epidemiology; Cohort study
• ISSN: 0091-7435; 1096-0260; 1096-0260
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106050

Anemia is known to be associated with depression both in community and clinical populations. However, it is still unknown if this association depends or not on antidepressant intake. We investigated the respective association of depression and antidepressant intake with low hemoglobin level in a large community-based cohort. In 8640 volunteers aged 50 to 75 recruited between June 2008 and June 2012 in Paris (France), we assessed hemoglobin levels (g/dl), depressive symptoms and antidepressant intake. We examined the association of both depression and antidepressant intake with hemoglobin level, adjusting for numerous socio-demographic and health variables. We also assessed the association with specific antidepressant classes. Depression and antidepressant intake were independently associated with lower hemoglobin level (β = −0.074; p = .05 and β = −0.100; p = .02 respectively in the fully-adjusted model). Regarding antidepressant classes, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) intake were associated with lower hemoglobin level (β = −0.11; p = .01). To conclude, both depression and antidepressant intake were associated with lower hemoglobin level. In particular, as SSRI or SNRIs intake was also related to lower hemoglobin level, these classes should be used with caution in depressed individuals at risk for anemia. •In adults aged 50–75 years, depression was associated with lower hemoglobin level.•This association was independent of antidepressant intake.•SSRI and SNRI intake were also related to lower hemoglobin level.•The effects of depression and antidepressants on hemoglobin were roughly similar.