Cited by 942Tryptophan and brain disordersTreatment of Major DepressionStress Responses and Cortisol

Effect of Anti-inflammatory Treatment on Depression, Depressive Symptoms, and Adverse Effects: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

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Köhler, Ole, Benros, Michael E., Nordentoft, Merete, Farkouh, Michael E., Iyengar, Rupa L., Mors, Ole, Krogh, Jesper·2014·JAMA Psychiatry

Abstract

IMPORTANCE: Several studies have reported antidepressant effects of anti-inflammatory treatment; however, the results have been conflicting and detrimental adverse effects may contraindicate the use of anti-inflammatory agents. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the antidepressant and possible adverse effects of anti-inflammatory interventions. DATA SOURCES: Trials published prior to December, 31, 2013, were identified searching Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, EMBASE, PsychINFO, Clinicaltrials.gov, and relevant review articles. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized placebo-controlled trials assessing the efficacy and adverse effects of pharmacologic anti-inflammatory treatment in adults with depressive symptoms, including those who fulfilled the criteria for depression. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data were extracted by 2 independent reviewers. Pooled standard mean difference (SMD) and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Depression scores after treatment and adverse effects. RESULTS: Ten publications reporting on 14 trials (6262 participants) were included: 10 trials evaluated the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (n=4,258) and 4 investigated cytokine inhibitors (n=2,004). The pooled effect estimate suggested that anti-inflammatory treatment reduced depressive symptoms (SMD, -0.34; 95% CI, -0.57 to -0.11; I2=90%) compared with placebo. This effect was observed in studies including patients with depression (SMD, -0.54; 95% CI, -1.08 to -0.01; I2=68%) and depressive symptoms (SMD, -0.27; 95% CI, -0.53 to -0.01; I2=68%). The heterogeneity of the studies was not explained by differences in inclusion of clinical depression vs depressive symptoms or use of NSAIDs vs cytokine inhibitors. Subanalyses emphasized the antidepressant properties of the selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor celecoxib (SMD, -0.29; 95% CI, -0.49 to -0.08; I2=73%) on remission (OR, 7.89; 95% CI, 2.94 to 21.17; I2=0%) and response (OR, 6.59; 95% CI, 2.24 to 19.42; I2=0%). Among the 6 studies reporting on adverse effects, we found no evidence of an increased number of gastrointestinal or cardiovascular events after 6 weeks or infections after 12 weeks of anti-inflammatory treatment compared with placebo. All trials were associated with a high risk of bias owing to potentially compromised internal validity. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Our analysis suggests that anti-inflammatory treatment, in particular celecoxib, decreases depressive symptoms without increased risks of adverse effects. However, a high risk of bias and high heterogeneity made the mean estimate uncertain. This study supports a proof-of-concept concerning the use of anti-inflammatory treatment in depression. Identification of subgroups that could benefit from such treatment might be warranted.

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Crossref · 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.1611

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  • Patients who receive cytokine treatments such as IL-2 or IFNγ as part of their treatment for hepatitis or cancer often develop depressive symptoms.

    “Patients who receive cytokine treatments such as IL-2 or IFN γ as part of their treatment for hepatitis or cancer often develop depressive symptoms 82”

    From Major depressive disorder (2016) · cites this paper as [82]

    The introduction (section C; page unavailable) says that treatment with proinflammatory agents induces depressive symptoms, and the References list a study of interferon-α treatment in patients with malignant melanoma. Our copy does not substantiate the claim’s specific examples of IL-2 or IFNγ, its hepatitis setting, or the assertion that symptoms develop often. (LLM, conf=0.85)

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  • Kohler and colleagues found that patients prescribed celecoxib compared to placebo were 7 times more likely to respond to an antidepressant with no increased risks of GI or CV effects.

    “Similarly, Kohler and colleagues found that patients prescribed celecoxib compared to placebo were 7 times more likely to respond to an antidepressant with no increased risks of GI or CV effects (155).”

    From Chronic stress, neuroinflammation, and depression: an overview of pathophysiological mechanisms and emerging anti-inflammatories (2023) · cites this paper as [155]

    The Subanalyses section (page not available in our copy) reports higher antidepressant response with celecoxib add-on versus placebo (odds ratio 6.59), approximately the quoted sevenfold figure, though this is an odds ratio rather than a probability ratio. The Adverse Effects section says no increased gastrointestinal or cardiovascular risks were observed, but cautions that adverse effects were not reported by every study and treatment lasted only 6–12 weeks. The claim omits those limits on the safety finding. (LLM, conf=0.85)

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  • Blockade of cytokines such as TNF or of inflammatory signalling pathway components such as cyclooxygenase 2 reduces depressive symptoms in patients with medical illnesses including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and cancer, as well as in patients with major depressive disorder.

    “blockade of cytokines, such as TNF, or of inflammatory signalling pathway components, such as cyclooxygenase 2, has been shown to reduce depressive symptoms in patients with medical illnesses, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and cancer, as well as in patients with major depressive disorder27–29.”

    From The role of inflammation in depression: from evolutionary imperative to modern treatment target (2016) · cites this paper as [29]

    The Antidepressant Effects section reports improved depression or depressive symptoms with cytokine inhibitors in patients with psoriasis, and the Conclusions report improved antidepressant outcomes with add-on celecoxib. The copy does not establish the claimed reductions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or cancer. It also qualifies the cytokine-inhibitor evidence: few trials were available, and the meta-analysis found no significant benefit over placebo. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • Anti-inflammatory agents may only demonstrate effective antidepressant activity in subgroups of patients with increased peripheral inflammation, such as those with osteoarthritis or psoriasis and depression with increased inflammatory markers.

    “Unfortunately, it appears that anti-inflammatory agents may only demonstrate effective antidepressant activity in subgroups of patients who show evidence of increased peripheral inflammation, for example individuals with medical conditions including osteoarthritis and psoriasis that are characterized by increased levels of peripheral inflammation and patients with depression with increased”

    From The role of inflammation in depression: from evolutionary imperative to modern treatment target (2016) · cites this paper as [29]

    The Perspectives section reports better responses among depressed patients with elevated inflammatory markers and among patients with depressive symptoms plus pain-related or inflammatory disorders. The Conclusions call for identifying subgroups that may benefit more, but do not establish that anti-inflammatory agents are effective *only* in those subgroups. The paper includes osteoarthritis and psoriasis trials, although it does not establish elevated peripheral markers in every patient with those conditions. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • Depressive symptoms are more frequent in patients with conditions involving inflammation and can be reversed through the use of anti-inflammatory drugs.

    “depressive symptoms are more frequent in patients with conditions involving inflammation (e.g., autoimmune diseases) and can be reversed through the use of anti-inflammatory drugs (Kojima et al., 2009; Köhler et al., 2014).”

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [24]24. Raison C, Rutherford RE, Woolwine B, et al. The tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonist infliximab reduces depressive symptoms in patients with treatment resistant depression and high inflammation. Brain Behav Immun. 2012;26(suppl 1):S49. doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2012.07.200.W. · DOI
  2. [27]27. Hashemian F, Majd M, Hosseini SM, Sharifi A, Panahi MVS, Bigdeli O. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of celecoxib augmentation of sertraline in the treatment of a drug-naive women with major depression. Klin Psikofarmakol Bul. 2011;21:S183-S184.

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Authors
Köhler, O., Benros, M. E., Nordentoft, M., Farkouh, M. E., Iyengar, R. L., Mors, O., & Krogh, J.
Affiliations
  • Research Department P, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Denmark2Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Denmark
  • University of Copenhagen (DK)
  • St. George's University (GD)
Venue
JAMA Psychiatry
Published
2014-12-01
Volume
71
Issue
12
Pages
1381
ISSN
2168-622X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2156150528
Cited by
941
References
56
Citations by year
2026: 48 · 2025: 62 · 2024: 74 · 2023: 81 · 2022: 88 · 2021: 106 · 2020: 94 · 2019: 85 · 2018: 104 · 2017: 85 · 2016: 70 · 2015: 43 · 2014: 1
FWCI
20.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • JAMA Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (publishedVersion)
Funders
Lundbeckfonden (R155-2014-1724)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
anti-inflammatory therapy, depression, depressive symptoms, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cytokine inhibitors, celecoxib, COX-2 inhibitors, antidepressant effects, adverse effects, remission, treatment response, adults with depression
MeSH terms
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Depression, Humans, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

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