title: Late non-response to lithium prophylaxis in bipolar patients: prevalence and predictors.
abstract: 65 bipolar patients who had shown a complete response to lithium prophylaxis over a 5-year period were followed up for a further period of 5 years. 12.7% of them had at least two affective episodes during the latter period, despite persistently adequate compliance. These late non-responders, as compared with stable responders, had a significantly higher number of previous affective episodes and hospitalizations and a significantly longer duration of illness. It is suggested that the main determinant of late non-response is the 'driving force' of the illness, finally overwhelming the prophylactic effect of lithium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, First Medical School, University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maj
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pirozzi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Magliano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents; D016651:Lithium Carbonate