system
Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Antidepressive Agents, Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation, Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic, Depressive Disorder, Female, Fluoxetine, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Nortriptyline, Prospective Studies, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Suicide, Treatment Outcome.
user
Is antidepressant treatment associated with a reduction in suicidal ideation and suicide attempts? Context: To measure changes in suicidal behaviours during 6 months of treatment with antidepressants. A group of depressed patients (n = 195) were assessed for suicidal behaviours in the 6 months prior to treatment. They were prospectively assessed for suicidal behaviours during 6 months of treatment with antidepressants. Patients who made suicide attempts fell from 39 in the 6 months prior to treatment to 20 during treatment. Significant suicidal ideation reduced from 47% at baseline to 14% at 3 weeks remaining below this during the rest of the treatment. Twenty patients had emergent suicidal ideation; five of them had not experienced some level of suicidal behaviour in the 6 months prior to treatment.
assistant
Suicide behaviours are common in depressed out-patients. Antidepressant treatment is associated with a rapid and significant reduction in suicidal behaviours. The rate of emergent suicidal behaviour was low and the risk benefit ratio for antidepressants appears to favour their use. Final Decision: yes