Repurposing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for severity of COVID-19: A population-based study

The World Health Organization has proposed that a search be made for alternatives to vac-cines for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, with one such alternative being selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This study thus sought to assess: the impact of previous treatment with SSRI antidepressants on the severity of COVID-19 (risk of hospitalisation, admis-sion to an intensive care unit [ICU], and mortality), its influence on susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and progression to severe COVID-19. We conducted a population-based multiple case-control study in a region in the north-west of Spain. Data were sourced from electronic health records. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95%CIs were calculated using multilevel logistic regression. We collected data from a total of 86,602 subjects: 3060 cases PCR + , 26,757 non-hospitalised cases PCR+ and 56,785 controls (without PCR + ). Citalopram displayed a statistically significant

Automated summary

The World Health Organization suggests finding alternatives to vaccines for COVID-19 prevention and treatment, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This study assesses the effect of previous treatment with SSRIs on the severity of COVID-19 and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2.