How likely am I to die from taking SSRI's?
This review says:
In conclusion, this review suggests the need for caution in the use of SSRI therapy, particularly among patients with other risk factors for bleeding and those taking NSAIDs. The estimated rate of hospitalization for upper GI bleeding in the US during the 1990s was ∼ 155 per 100,000 population per year [46]. The data examined suggests that the risk of GI bleeding may be increased 2 – 4-fold in patients taking SSRIs and 3 – 12-fold when combined with NSAIDs. However, one must recognise that the incidence of upper GI bleeding increases with age. As such, the risk/benefit profile of these compounds could be influenced by the patient’s age and other co-morbid conditions.
on which I performed calculations like this:
Which seems like a lot, for just one sideeffect of SSRI's. Would somebody please check my calculation to see whether I haven't made a major error?
One thing I've neglected is that GI bleeding appears to occur more with the elderly and its mortality rate rises sharply with age, but I haven't found any good data on that. Does anybody have some experience with this?
I'm suffering from a recurring depression (in my 4th depressive period now) which apparently often responds well to SSRI's, but I'm still not sure how much of a risk it is.
IANAL, but I'm not requesting medical advice, just help with math.
In direct contradiction to your request, I am not helping with your maths but providing general (not specific) advice.
Bleeding has a 30% mortality rate
This depends very much on the population you are looking at (age, source of bleeding, severity of bleeding, comorbidities at time of bleeding - both acute and chronic). I would suggest that if you are not fulfilling some of these criteria your bleeding mortality is much lower. It is certainly possible that an SSRI could have a statistically significant effect in cases of severe bleeding like major trauma...
If it's worth saying, but not worth its own post (even in Discussion), then it goes here.
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