Use of Psychotropic Drugs and Risk of Myocardial Infarction: A Case-Control Study in Finnish Farmers

BACKGROUND: In 1992 Thorogood et al. reported an increased risk of myocardial infarction in women using psychotropic drugs. The aim of our study is to find out whether there is a link between the use of psychotropic drugs and subsequent myocardial infarction in males. METHOD: A cohort of 3172 male farmers was followed from 1 February 1980 to 31 December 1992. Those subjects who had myocardial infarction without any previous symptoms during the follow-up were considered as cases. For every case three matched controls were selected. The matched variables were age, smoking habits, social status and county. The final sample includes 83 cases and 249 controls. RESULTS: Those who had used psychotropic drugs had increased risk for myocardial infarction, odds ratio (OR) = 2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.2-5.2. Most pronounced risk for myocardial infarction was found among users of anti-depressants, OR = 5.4 (CI:1.8-16.1). CONCLUSION: The use of psychotropic drugs, especially antidepressants, is associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction. Further attempts are needed to determine whether the relationship between use of psychotropic drugs and risk of myocardial infarction is causal or not.