Effects of aspirin on the long-term management of depression in older people: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial
Date
2021
Authors
Berk, M.
Agustini, B.
Woods, R.L.
Nelson, M.R.
Shah, R.C.
Reid, C.M.
Storey, E.
Fitzgerald, S.M.
Lockery, J.E.
Wolfe, R.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Molecular Psychiatry, 2021; 26(9):5161-5170
Statement of Responsibility
Michael Berk, Bruno Agustini, Robyn L. Woods, Mark R. Nelson, Raj C. Shah, Christopher M. Reid ... et al.
Conference Name
Abstract
Late-life depression is common and often inadequately managed using existing therapies. Depression is also associated with increased markers of inflammation, suggesting a potential role for anti-inflammatory agents. ASPREE-D is a sub-study of ASPREE, a large multi-centre, population-based, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of aspirin vs placebo in older Australian and American adults (median follow-up: 4.7 years) of whom 1879 were depressed at baseline. Participants were given 100 mg daily dose of aspirin or placebo. Depressive symptoms were assessed annually using the validated, self-rated short version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. There was a significant increase in depressive scores (0.6; 95% CI 0.2 to 0.9; χ2 (1)=10.37; p=0.001) and a decreased score in the mental health component of a quality of life scale (–0.7; 95% CI –1.4 to –0.1; χ2 (1)=4.74; p=0.029) in the aspirin group compared to the placebo group. These effects were greater in the first year of follow-up and persisted throughout the study, albeit with small to very small effect sizes. This study failed to demonstrate any benefit of aspirin in the long-term course of depression in this community-dwelling sample of older adults over a 5-year period, and identified an adverse effect of aspirin in the course of depression in those with pre-existing depressive symptoms.
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Dissertation Note
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Published online: 27 January 2021
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited 2021.