Review: Use of SSRI Increases Upper GI Bleeding Risk

According to a recently published analysis in the January issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is connected with increased risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB).

The study, led by Hai-Yin Jiang from Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China and his team, reviewed the extent to which SSRI use affected potential UGIB risk. Jiang and his colleagues incorporated data for 22 studies with more than 1,073,000 individuals.

The study results noted that the probability for developing UGIB was 1.55 fold-higher and held a 95% confidence interval, 1.35—1.78, for SSRI users versus patients who had not taken SSRIs. Additionally, subgroup analysis indicated that the correlation was the greatest for patients who received concurrent therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory or antiplatelet drugs. Among patients receiving concurrent acid-suppressing drugs, the authors appeared to havefound, “No significant increase in the risk of developing UGIB among patients receiving concurrent acid-suppressing drugs.”

The authors concluded, “SSRI use was associated with an almost 2-fold increase in the risk of developing UGIB, especially among patients at high risk for GI bleeding (concurrent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory or antiplatelet drugs). This risk might be reduced significantly by concomitant use of acid-suppressing drugs.”