Lithium discontinuers. II. Therapeutic outcome.
Eleven patients from a lithium-treated cohort of 64 patients with major affective disorder (DSM-III) were investigated after a mean of 6.7 years on lithium prophylaxis and reinvestigated 7 years later, at which point they had discontinued lithium for a mean of 2.3 years. Therapeutic outcome was compared in the 11 discontinuers and 20 continuers on lithium from the same cohort, matched for sex, age, and mental status on admission to the study. Ratings of psychopathology (CPRS) at the end of the 7-year follow-up period showed that the only significant difference between the patient categories was a higher frequency of reported autonomic disturbances and worry over trifles in the discontinuers. Daily doses of neuroleptic drugs were significantly higher in discontinuers than in controls by the end of the study. Alternative concomitant treatment outside conventional medicine was sought by 45% of the discontinuers, whereas no lithium-treated control reported the need for such additional therapeutic measures.
Department of Psychiatry, Lillhagen Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Nilsson
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Axelsson
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013997:Time Factors
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008094:Lithium