The Effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors on Neurological and Depressive Symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials: SSRIs in Multiple Sclerosis: Meta-analysis

SSRIs in Multiple Sclerosis: Meta-analysis

Authors

  • Faeze Yousefi Student Research Committee, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
  • Parnia Kamyab Research Center for Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
  • Bahareh Fakhraei 1. Department of psychiatry, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran; 2. Clinical Research Development Unit, Valiasr Hospital, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
  • Mojtaba Farjam Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
  • Shahla Rezaei Nutrition Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
  • Seyed Sasan Mahmoudi Student research committee, Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
  • Zeynab Karimi Moghadm Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
  • Reza Tabrizi Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
  • Nematollah Jafari University of Poitiers, Center for Research on Cognition and Learning CNRS 7295, Clinical Research Unit in Psychiatry of the Center Hospitalier Henri Laborit 86000, Poitiers, France

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31661/gmj.v12i.3153

Keywords:

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Multiple Sclerosis, Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects the central nervous system and creates plaques by demyelination of neurons. Several studies have investigated the effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on MS clinical courses. The current meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effect of SSRIs on neurological and depressive symptoms of MS disease based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Materials and Methods: We searched the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, Google scholar, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library until June 2023. The effects of SSRI were assessed through indictors such as symbol digit modalities test (SDMT), expanded disability status scale (EDSS), modified fatigue impact scale (MFIS), and Beck’s depression inventory/psychiatric (BDI).
Results: Considering the inclusion criteria, seven articles (including eight trials) were included in this review. The meta-analysis results demonstrated that SSRIs treatments did not have significant effects on indicators of neurological and depressive symptoms, such as SDMT (Weighted Mean Difference (WMD)=-0.87; 95% CI, -7.74, 5.99, P=0.35; I2=0.0%), EDSS (WMD=-0.05; 95% CI, -0.24, 0.14, P=0.62; I2=0.0%), MFIS (WMD=5.29; 95% CI, -18.10, 28.68, P=0.21; I2=0.0%), and BDI (WMD=-0.47; 95% CI, -2.61, 1.67, P=0.67; I2=32.05%) in patients with MS compared with controls. Conclusion: This study shows that the consumption of SSRIs in MS patients compared to the control group does not bring about a significant change in the indices related to neurological and depressive symptoms. Further meta-analyses are required in order to provide stronger evidence in the future.

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Published

2023-12-18

Issue

Vol. 12 (2023): 2023

Section

Review Article

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