Lithium response and genetics of affective disorders.
The authors have carried out an investigation of psychiatric morbidity in families of patients who responded and failed to respond to long-term lithium treatment. The study included 121 probands with RDC primary affective disorders and 903 first-degree relatives and spouses. Seventy-one probands were responders and 50 were nonresponders to long-term lithium treatment. Extended to 20 years, the follow-up of patients and their families provided substantial information relevant for the diagnosis and reliable assessment of lithium response. The diagnoses were based on all available information, SADS-L interviews and RDC criteria. The principal statistical methods were survival analysis and Cox regression analysis. The results revealed a significantly higher frequency of bipolar disorder in the relatives of lithium responders (3.8% vs. 0%). Schizophrenia was more common in the families of nonresponders (2.4% vs. 0.3%). There were no significant differences in the rates of other psychiatric disorders. Both family history and the proband's diagnosis contribute independently to predicting response to long-term lithium.
Grof
P
P
Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Royal Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
Alda
M
M
Grof
E
E
Zvolsky
P
P
Walsh
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*
D016651:Lithium Carbonate