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Ole Köhler-Forsberg, MD, PhD, DMSc, and colleagues conducted an umbrella systematic review of meta-analyses that suggests antidepressants are safe and effective in the treatment and prevention of depression among patients with comorbid medical disease. According to the data presented in JAMA Psychiatry, comorbid medical diseases are often excluded from regulatory trials, though most patients with medical diseases receive antidepressants. Results of seven meta-analyses (RR, 0.43 [95% CI, 0.33-0.53]) showed that antidepressants were more likely to prevent depression than placebo. While findings from the study were positive, the researchers noted a need for further study due to the lack of large, high-quality randomized controlled trials that include most medical diseases.
