Comparison of carbamazepine and lithium in the prophylaxis of bipolar disorders. A meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
This meta-analysis assessed the equipotency of carbamazepine and lithium prophylaxis in bipolar disorder.


METHODS
We selected only randomised, double-blind, controlled studies comparing carbamazepine with lithium from a manual and computerised search, and subjected them to a quality inventory. Their statistical results were weighted by their quality score and combined.


RESULTS
Four studies met our criteria, yielding, overall, P = 0.15. This result is not straightforward because the studies showed significant heterogeneity (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Differences in statistical power and sensitivity of outcome measure explain this heterogeneity and the conflicting results of the studies. Therefore, the prophylactic efficacy of carbamazepine remains questionable.
Dardennes
R
R
Clinique des maladies mentales et de l'encéphale, Hôpital Sainte Anne, Paris, France.
Even
C
C
Bange
F
F
Heim
A
A
D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D002220:Carbamazepine