USO DE ANTI-INFLAMATÓRIOS NO TRATAMENTO DA DEPRESSÃO: UMA REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA

Abstract

Objective: Depression, one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, has been  addressed with pharmacological therapies aimed at neurochemical imbalances, but  with limited results. Recently, the inflammatory theory of depression has gained  prominence, suggesting that inflammatory processes play a crucial role in the  pathogenesis of the disorder. This study aims to carry out a critical analysis of the  use of anti-inflammatory drugs as an adjuvant strategy in the treatment of  depression. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to gather evidence on the  use of anti-inflammatory drugs in the management of depression. Using the PRISMA  recommendations and the PICO methodology, studies were selected from the  PubMed, LILACS and Cochrane Library databases. The scope included studies  focusing on outcomes related to the reduction of depressive symptoms with the use  of NSAIDs. Results: The review included 11 eligible articles, with an emphasis on  celecoxib, which demonstrated benefits in more than 70% of the studies, especially  as an adjuvant to antidepressants. Other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ASA and  ibuprofen, were evaluated, but with less consistent results. Although most studies  have suggested a positive response, adverse effects have been identified which limit  clinical applicability. Conclusions: The results indicate that anti-inflammatory drugs,  particularly celecoxib, may be a promising alternative in the treatment of refractory  depression, offering a more effective treatment.