Episode 15: Treating Depression: The Recent Sad News about Anti-Depressants
In episode 15 a guest assists us in addressing the evidence suggesting anti-depressants are not as effective as believed. We review some biases in the anti-depressant research including publication bias (how good studies are published more than bad studies). We discuss how the benefits of anti-depressants over placebo increase as the severity of depression worsens. James prompts us to explain the effectiveness of the medications; although we dodge, some vague commitments do manage to escape.
Show Notes
1) Selective publication of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors data
2) Another select report on the selective publication of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
3) Antidepressants have a clinically important effect above placebo only in patients with severe depression
4) Fluoxetine – evidence for benefit in children – others maybe not?
5) In children, with antidepressants, the magnitude of benefit is unlikely sufficient to justify the harms
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/328/7444/879
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