title: [Screening and evaluation on predictive factors in lithium carbonate maintenance treatment of manic-depressive disorders].
abstract: The prophylactic effect of lithium carbonate was studied prospectively in 95 patients with recurrent manic-depressive disorders. Maintenance lithium treatment started at the stage of recovery after previous episodes lasting for 20-24 months. Of all the 95 patients, 55 cases (57.9%) were responders, with no relapse during the follow-up period; whereas the other 40 cases (42.1%) were non-responders, having at least one relapse occurred from 4 to 12 months after the index episode. Of the parameters studied, (1) minor primary episode; (2) higher lithium RBC/plasma ratio (greater than 0.4); (3) increase of plasma calcium level during lithium treatment; (4) extraversion-cycloid personality featured by EPQ have higher predictive sensitivity and specificity (greater than 70%) and maybe used as the core predictive factors for long-term outcome in lithium treatment. The other parameters, the age of unset, frequency of episodes, euphoric and grandiose symptoms, clinical respond of first lithium anti-episode medications and lithium clearance can also be used as corresponding predictive factors in selecting cases for long-term lithium treatment.
authors.affiliation: An Ding Hospital, Beijing.
authors.forename: Z N
authors.initials: ZN
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008094:Lithium; D002118:Calcium