Table 1. Baseline characteristics of participants (inappropriate long-term antidepressant users) in the overtreatment trial at individual level in frequencies, unless stated otherwise. Overtreatment: ≥9 months antidepressant use, without a current indication for maintenance therapy
Overtreatment trial, n (%)
Control (n = 76)Intervention (n = 70)
Mean age, years (SD) 56 (14.3)56 (12.9)
Male24 (32)20 (29)
Marital status
Married or living together60 (79)56 (80)
Separated or divorced0 (0)2 (3)
Widow/widower7 (9)2 (3)
Single9 (12)9 (13)
Lifetime psychiatric diagnosis
Any lifetime psychiatric diagnosis48 (63)53 (76)
Depression35 (46)39 (56)
Panic disorder or agoraphobia13 (17)13 (19)
Generalised anxiety disorder13 (17)22 (31)
Social phobia20 (26)16 (23)
Antidepressant
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors50 (66)57 (81)
Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors11 (14) 7 (10)
Other (non-tricyclic antidepressant drug)10 (13)2 (3)
Tricyclic antidepressant drugs5 (7)4 (6)
Median duration of antidepressant use at inclusion, years (range)9.5 (1–56)8.0 (1–48)
Comorbidity
Cardiovascular disease7 (9)9 (13)
Cancer6 (8)8 (11)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma12 (16)9 (13)
Diabetes mellitus11 (14) 3 (4)
  • SD = standard deviation.