More research needed
Adrian Jacques Ambrose, MD, medical director, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and assistant professor of psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, pointed out some evidence in the study is relatively weak.
“When the authors separated out the on- and off-melatonin groups, it looks like there wasn’t a statistically significant difference [in IRRs] between the two groups – for example, in any injury, self-harm, or poisoning – and this weakens their argument that melatonin is associated with self-harm and poisoning.”
Given the current youth mental health crisis, more research “would absolutely be indicated” to better explore possible additional variables, said Dr. Ambrose.
“For example, some additional follow-up studies may add on covariates in conjunction with melatonin usage, such as the number of medical appointments, the presence of psychotherapeutic interventions, dosage of melatonin, or even the sleepiness scale, to evaluate whether the symptoms of sleep disturbances are more directly correlated with the self-harm behaviors.”
The study was supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme. Dr. Bergen and Dr. Ambrose report no relevant financial relationships.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.