From Peter Berry
The observation by Linda Geddes that there is “growing evidence that cytokines associated with inflammation can cause depression” (15 January, p 30) got me wondering whether there might be a connection between inflammation, depression and a growing consumption of over-the-counter painkillers.
Are we seeing large-scale self-medication against depression with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)? Maybe NSAIDs are being used to suppress inflammatory reactions to environmental factors that have triggered depression.
Swindon, Wiltshire, UK
