Treatment algorithm use to optimize management of symptomatic patients with a history of mania.
BACKGROUND
While monotherapy has significant limitations in bipolar disorder, few published data addressing alternatives exist. Treatment algorithms have been proposed, but none have undergone empirical evaluation. This study provides a systematic prospective, open evaluation of the effectiveness and tolerability of a treatment algorithm for patients with histories of mania.


METHODS
Twenty-eight symptomatic outpatients from a public mental health facility who were diagnosed as having either bipolar I or schizoaffective illness, bipolar type, entered the study. Minimum blood levels of lithium and divalproex sodium were defined. Medications were pushed to predetermined levels (as tolerated) before proceeding to the next algorithm step. Clinical symptoms were assessed monthly using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS, 27 item) and Clinical Global Impressions scale.


RESULTS
Pretreatment and posttreatment clinical symptoms were compared. Over 50% of patients attained 30% improvement from baseline BPRS after 4 months. Thirty-six percent of patients (N = 10) became mood stable, 46% (N = 13) remained mood unstable, and 18% (N = 5) dropped out before completing the algorithm. Although patients who finished the algorithm were taking more medication, either dosage and/or drugs, somatic complaints did not increase.


CONCLUSIONS
The potential benefit of a defined treatment algorithm was demonstrated for these complex and persistently ill patients. Despite long treatment histories, patients improved with more frequent visits and addition of medication(s). A randomized controlled trial comparing a similar treatment algorithm with treatment-as-usual is warranted.
Suppes
T
T
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, USA.
Rush
A J
AJ
Kraemer
H C
HC
Webb
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards; D003663:Decision Trees; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D014635:Valproic Acid; D008094:Lithium