title: [Long-term lithium prophylaxis in the bipolar affective disorder].
abstract: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of lithium prophylaxis in patients with bipolar affective disorder and to determine clinical differences between lithium responders and non-responders. Clinical and demographic data of 103 patients treated with lithium for at least 10 years were analysed. 24 patients had no episodes on lithium (excellent responders--ER), in 48--at least 50% reduction of episode index (number of episodes/year) was observed, and the remaining 31 did not benefit from lithium treatment. Duration of illness before lithium introduction was significantly longer in lithium non-responders. Lithium responders had significantly higher episode index before lithium. Percentage of excellent responders diminished during treatment. The trend toward higher lithium plasma level in excellent responders was observed. Non-responders had significantly more depressions during first year of lithium prophylaxis. Depressive episodes during first year of treatment may be a predictor of non-response.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Psychiatrii Dorosłych AM w Poznaniu.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suwalska
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chłopocka-Woźniak
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rybakowski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018692:Antimanic Agents; D016651:Lithium Carbonate