Lithium Maintenance: Factors Affecting Outcome
Abstract
The authors reviewed the charts of 61 manic-depressive outpatients maintained on lithium for 6–75 months for relationships between clinical outcome and various demographic, clinical, and pharmacological variables. Good outcome (50% reduction in episode frequency) did not correlate with any demographic or most natural history variables. A history of frequent episodes was correlated with decreased episode frequency but not with a lower percentage of prophylaxis failure during follow-up. A nonsignificant trend toward decreasing episode occurrence with increasing duration of lithium maintenance was present. Depressions occurred considerably more frequently than manic episodes at adequate maintenance plasma lithium levels. More medication noncompliance was found among patients who experienced both manic and depressive relapses.
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.- Personal login
- Institutional Login
- Sign in via OpenAthens
- Register for access
-
Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability.
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).
