Lithium augmentation in geriatric depression.
In the geriatric department of a Dutch psychiatric hospital the charts of 51 patients treated with lithium in addition to cyclic antidepressants were reviewed. A response was seen in 33 patients (65%). For patients with recurrent depressive episodes, a statistical trend was found towards more responders with more complete responses, compared to patients with first depressive episodes. During lithium augmentation, 10 patients suffered from severe adverse effects 12 times. In spite of adverse effects, with expert monitoring lithium augmentation can, in our opinion, be of value in the treatment of older depressed patients.
van Marwijk
H W
HW
Geriatric Training Department, Bloemendaal Psychiatric Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Bekker
F M
FM
Nolen
W A
WA
Jansen
P A
PA
van Nieuwkerk
J F
JF
Hop
W C
WC
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008094:Lithium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008094:Lithium; D007099:Imipramine