Key result
Women exposed to antidepressant and/or anxiolytic medication before the 16th week of pregnancy had a 3-fold increased risk of preeclampsia (aOR 3.09) compared to unexposed women.
Why the study?
The study investigated the association between antidepressant and anxiolytic exposure during early pregnancy and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia and gestational hypertension.
Does exposure to antidepressants and/or anxiolytics in early pregnancy increase the risk of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension in pregnant women?
Cohort (n=6,761)
No
Does exposure to antidepressants and/or anxiolytics in early pregnancy increase the risk of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension in pregnant women?
Odds Ratio: 3.09 (95% CI 1.56–6.12)
p-value: p=0.001
Exposure to antidepressants and/or anxiolytics before the 16th week of pregnancy is associated with a 3-fold increased risk of preeclampsia, highlighting the need for careful risk-benefit assessment of psychiatric medications in early pregnancy.
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Early antidepressant/anxiolytic exposure was associated with higher preeclampsia risk; leaves open confounding by indication and need for prospective confirmation before practice change.
Bernard et al. (2019) conducted a cohort in Preeclampsia and gestational hypertension (n=6,761). Antidepressants and/or anxiolytics vs. Unexposed to antidepressant/anxiolytic medication, depression, and anxiety was evaluated on Preeclampsia (aOR 3.09, 95% CI 1.56-6.12, p=0.001). Women exposed to antidepressant and/or anxiolytic medication before the 16th week of pregnancy had a 3-fold increased risk of preeclampsia (aOR 3.09) compared to unexposed women.
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