title: Method for prediction of serum lithium levels.
abstract: A new computer-assisted method for predicting lithium levels and consulting dosage of lithium is demonstrated. The method is based on a mathematical model describing elimination of lithium after lithium treatment of any duration and regularity. From two values of serum concentration of lithium obtained during a single day, parameters of the model are computed and used for prediction. In an evaluation study involving 20 inpatients, the results demonstrated a high correlation between predicted and observed levels (r = 0.80) and revealed no systematic error of prediction. The elimination rate of lithium in these patients was unrelated to age or to duration of previous lithium therapy.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008297:Male; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008094:Lithium