FollowA new study has suggested link between antidepressants and diabetes citing that people who are taking such drugs are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
So far the studies have shown varied results depending on the methods used, type of medication and the number of participants.
Hence the researchers at the University of Southampton carried a systematic review and found that people taking antidepressants are at a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. However, the scientists have underlined that it is not certain whether the medication is responsible for the condition.
While conducting the study, the researchers assessed 22 studies and three previous systematic reviews that looked into the effects of antidepressants on diabetes risk. They found that overall people taking antidepressants were more likely to have diabetes.
The researchers suggested that different types of antidepressants may carry different risks. They said that there are “several plausible” reasons why antidepressants are associated with an increased risk of diabetes.
“Our research shows that when you take away all the classic risk factors of type 2 diabetes; weight gain, lifestyle etc, there is something about antidepressants that appears to be an independent risk factor,” said Dr Katharine Barnard, Health Psychologist from the University of Southampton.
“While depression is an important clinical problem and antidepressants are effective treatments for this debilitating condition, clinicians need to be aware of the potential risk of diabetes, particularly when using antidepressants in higher doses or for longer duration,” said Richard Holt, Professor in Diabetes and Endocrinology at the University.
