title: Stabilizing the stabilizer: group psychoeducation enhances the stability of serum lithium levels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect on the serum lithium levels of a psychoeducational program in patients with bipolar disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a subanalysis of data obtained from a larger study on the efficacy of group psychoeducation in the prophylaxis of recurrences in bipolar disorders. Data on plasma lithium levels were obtained at five time points: baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Serum lithium levels of patients who had received psychoeduction (psychoeducated) (N = 49) and non-psychoeducated patients (N = 44) were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean serum lithium levels were significantly higher and more stable for the psychoeducation group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As changes in serum lithium level may be a powerful predictor of recurrence for bipolar patients, the addition of group psychoeducation to standard pharmacological treatment may be beneficial to optimize serum lithium levels and, thereby improve outcome.
authors.affiliation: Bipolar Disorders Program, Institut d'Investigacions Biomédiques Agustí Pi Sunyer, Barcelona Stanley Foundation Center, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Colom
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vieta
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Moreno
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martínez-Arán
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reinares
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Goikolea
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016037:Single-Blind Method
chemical_list: D008094:Lithium