Effect of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors on the Risk of Fracture

Abstract

Depression is a common ailment among elderly persons,¹ affecting approximately 10% of primary care patients in the United States.^2,3 Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered first-line therapy for the treatment of depressive symptoms among older adults because of their presumed favorable adverse effect profile.^4-6 The use of SSRIs is widespread; their combined sales in the United States exceeded $10.9 billion in 2004, representing a 32% increase since 2000.^7,8