Escitalopram Improves Gut Microbiome Diversity in US Males with Comorbid IBD and MDD
Reading Time: 2 minutes Introduction Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, affects over 3 million Americans, with a notable prevalence among males aged 30-50. Comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD) complicates management, impacting up to 30% of IBD patients and exacerbating gastrointestinal symptoms via the gut-brain axis. Escitalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), is a first-line pharmacotherapy for MDD, yet its influence on gut microbiota—the trillions of microorganisms modulating intestinal barrier integrity and inflammation—remains underexplored in this demographic. This cohort study investigates escitalopram's effects on gut health in American males with dual diagnoses, addressing a critical gap in precision medicine...


