Early onset of lithium prophylaxis as a predictor of good long-term outcome.
The recurrence rates during lithium preventive treatment were investigated in a sample of 270 Mood Disorder subjects subdivided according to their onset time for lithium prophylaxis as very early (within 5 years from the onset of illness), early (6-10 years), late (11-20 years) and very late (more than 21 years). 131 subjects of the sample followed for 4 years prolonged the observation for a further period of 8 years. Results indicated that beginning lithium therapy within the first ten years of illness predicts better preventive outcomes than beginning prophylaxis later, both in major depression, recurrent and bipolar patients.
Franchini
L
L
Istituto Scientifico H. San Raffaele, Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, University of Milan, Via Luigi Prinetti, 29, 20127 Milan, Italy. centro.affettivi@hsr.it
Zanardi
R
R
Smeraldi
E
E
Gasperini
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008094:Lithium