{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Use of antidepressants and association with elective termination of pregnancy: population based case-control study.
{Author}: Kieler H;Malm H;Artama M;Engeland A;Furu K;Gissler M;Nørgaard M;Stephansson O;Valdimarsdottir U;Zoega H;Haglund B;
{Journal}: BJOG
{Volume}: 122
{Issue}: 12
{Year}: Nov 2015
{Factor}: 7.331
{DOI}: 10.1111/1471-0528.13164
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To assess whether the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, mirtazapine, venlafaxine or other antidepressants is associated with late elective termination of pregnancy.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Case-control study using data from national registers.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Denmark, Finland, and Norway during the period 1996-2007.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A total of 14,902 women were included as cases and 148,929 women were included as controls.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Cases were women with elective termination of pregnancy at 12-23 weeks of gestation. Controls continued their pregnancy and were matched with cases on key factors.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Association between antidepressant use during pregnancy and elective termination of pregnancy at 12-23 weeks of gestation for fetal anomalies, or for maternal ill health or socio-economic disadvantage.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>At least one prescription of antidepressants was filled by 3.7% of the cases and 2.2% of the controls. Use of any type of antidepressant was associated with elective termination of pregnancy for maternal ill health or socio-economic disadvantage (odds ratio, OR 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 2.0-2.5). Elective termination of pregnancy for fetal anomalies was associated with the use of mirtazapine (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.5). There was no association between the use of any of the other antidepressants and elective termination of pregnancy for fetal anomalies.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The use of any type of antidepressants was associated with elective termination of pregnancy at 12-23 weeks for maternal ill health or socio-economic disadvantage, but not with terminations for fetal anomalies. Further studies need to confirm the findings concerning mirtazapine and termination of pregnancy for fetal anomalies.