Beta-blockers and depression: the clinician's dilemma

Article Abstract:

Individuals treated with beta-blockers may not have a higher risk of depression than the general population. Beta-blockers are prescribed for the treatment of different cardiovascular diseases and a variety of other disorders. Soon after the introduction of beta-blockers, several research studies found that individuals treated with beta-blockers were at risk for developing clinical depression. Beta-blockers affect levels of different chemicals in the brain. But later studies have not been able to confirm the association between beta-blockers and depression. Beta-blockers that are water soluble may have fewer effects on the brain than beta-blockers that are fat soluble. Patients with a family history of depression or other mood disorders may be treated with beta-blockers. If these patients develop depression, they should be changed to a drug not associated with depression, or switched from a fat-soluble to a water-soluble beta-blocker. Patients with depression should be monitored closely, and treated with anti-depressants and therapy.

Editorial

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Beta-blockers and depression: evidence against an association

Article Abstract:

Patients who are treated with beta-blockers may not have a higher risk of depression than the general population. A study compared 4,302 Medicaid patients who were treated for depression to Medicaid patients who were not treated for depression. The patients treated for depression were identified by either treatment with antidepressant drugs, in-hospital diagnosis of depression, or treatment with electroshock therapy. Sixteen percent of the patients treated for depression had been treated with a beta-blocker compared to 12% of the patients not treated for depression. But among the depression patients who were identified by in-hospital diagnosis of depression or electroshock therapy, the number treated with beta-blockers was not higher than among the patients not treated for depression. Several previous studies have associated depression with treatment with beta-blockers.

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Surveillance of medical device-related hazards and adverse events in hospitalized patients

Article Abstract:

Many hospitals have no good method for identifying injuries to patients that were caused by a medical device. Part of the reason is that medical devices are operated by a person, so human factors are important. A study at one 520-bed US hospital found that a computer system to flag all medical device hazards or injuries identified less than half of all such events.

Medical Instruments and Supplies, Medical Instruments & Equipment, Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing, Injuries, Medical equipment, Hospital patients, Medical errors, Physiological apparatus

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