Tools
ToolsRahman, Tabassum, Swiderski, Mikolaj, Venables, Zoe C, Yiu, Zenas Z N, Rhodes, Lesley E, Nixon, Neil and Gran, Sonia (2026) Association between prescribed antidepressant medication and skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma) risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Skin Health and Disease. ISSN 2690-442X
Preview |
PDF (vzag028)
- Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Background: Certain antidepressants act as photosensitizers and may affect skin cancer risk; however, no evidence synthesis has been conducted. With the rising global incidence of skin cancer and widespread antidepressant use, clarifying any potential association is essential for public health. Objectives: To assess the association between prescribed antidepressants and skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma) risk. Methods: The protocol was registered on PROSPERO. MEDLINE and Embase were searched on 5 October 2025. Titles, abstracts and full texts were screened, and the methodologies appraised by two independent reviewers. The Mantel–Haenszel method (random-effects model) was applied to pool odds ratios (ORs), and the inverse variance method was used for rate ratios (RRs); heterogeneity was assessed using I2. The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) framework assessed the certainty of evidence. Subgroup analyses included a comparison of skin cancer risk between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and non-SSRIs. Results: Ten studies were included, five of which contributed to the meta-analysis. The association between antidepressant use and skin cancer risk was not statistically significant [RR 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60–1.16 (P = 0.28, I2 = 87%); OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.85–1.02 (P = 0.12, I2 = 69%)]. The subgroup analysis results for those who did and did not use SSRIs were similar and showed no statistically significant associations with skin cancer risk. The certainty of evidence was very low. Conclusions: No statistically significant association was found between antidepressant use and skin cancer risk. Further high-quality research considering important confounders such as skin type, skin cancer type, sun exposure-related behaviour and sufficient follow-up is needed to confirm these findings.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being |
| Related URLs: | |
| Depositing User: | LivePure Connector |
| Date Deposited: | 13 May 2026 13:35 |
| Last Modified: | 14 May 2026 15:16 |
| URI: | https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/102998 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/skinhd/vzag028 |
Downloads
Downloads per month over past year
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |