title: Predictors of lithium treatment responsiveness in bipolar patients. A two-year prospective study.
abstract: Twenty-nine bipolar patients were assessed before the start of lithium therapy to study the prognostic criteria of long-term response to therapy. Assessment included clinical and demographic data and laboratory tests administered before and 2-5 days after initiation of therapy. The tests included calcium and magnesium serum levels, and thyroid hormonal status. Patients were followed up for 2 years. None of the single variables predicted the response to lithium therapy, but a combination of clinical and demographic variables, used in a discriminant function analysis, correctly identified 78.9% of responders. Multiple regression analysis predicted 46.2% of the outcome. The strongest univariate predictors were mood quality, illness duration, and substance abuse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kusalic
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Engelsmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium