Association between depression and non-fatal overdoses among drug users: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Francesco Bartoli, Giuseppe Carrà, Giulia Brambilla, Daniele Carretta, Cristina Crocamo, Julia Neufeind, Alexander Mario Baldacchino, Gerald Michael Humphris, Massimo Clerici

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background

Assessing factors associated with non-fatal overdose is important as these could be useful to identify individuals with substance use disorders at high risk of adverse outcomes and consequences. Depression may play an important role in terms of overdose risk. We aimed to test if drug users suffering from a depressive disorder might have significantly higher risk of non-fatal overdose as compared with drug users without depression.
Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed, Embase and Web of Knowledge were searched. The pooled analyses were based on prevalence rates, risk difference (RD) and odds ratio (OR), reporting 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The combined estimates were obtained weighting each study according to random effects model for meta-analysis.
Results

Seven articles, involving 12,019 individuals, and run in the US, Canada, Sweden, Norway, and Australia, were included. Pooled analyses comparing depressed with not depressed individuals highlighted a RD (95% CIs) for non-fatal overdose of 7.3% (4.8–9.7%) and an OR (95% CIs) of 1.45 (1.17–1.79). The subgroups analyses based on specific characteristics of included studies confirmed the association between depression and overdose.
Conclusions

Depressive disorders seem to be important factors associated to the risk of non-fatal overdose. Longitudinal studies might appropriately clarify causal inference issues. Future research should address the role of depressive disorders as predictors of subsequent non-fatal overdoses.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)12-21
Number of pages10
JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence
Volume134
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2014

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Association between depression and non-fatal overdoses among drug users: a systematic review and meta-analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this