Outcomes and length of treatment with carbamazepine extended-release capsules in bipolar disorder.
BACKGROUND
This analysis was a retrospective chart review evaluating the relationship between outcomes and length of treatment with carbamazepine extended-release capsules (CBZ-ERC) (Shire, Wayne, PA, USA) in bipolar disorder.


METHODS
The medical records of adult patients (>or=18 years) meeting DSM-IV criteria for bipolar disorder who were treated with CBZ-ERC for 30 days or less, 31 to 180 days, and more than 180 days were reviewed in this study.


RESULTS
There were significant differences in mean Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scores at the best office visit among the three treatment groups. The mean CGI-I scores for the 31- to 180-day (2.3+/-1.1) and >180-day (1.8+/-1.0) groups were significantly lower than the mean score for the <or=30-day treatment group (p<0.0001), and the mean CGI-I score for the >180-day group was significantly lower than that of the 31- to 180-day group (p=0.0027). Significantly fewer patients in the 31- to 180-day (5.4%; p=0.0039) and >180-day groups reported nausea (4.8%; p=0.034) when compared to the <30 day group.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that future controlled studies are warranted to further explore the safety and efficacy of CBZ-ERC as a long-term therapy for bipolar disorder.
Ginsberg
Lawrence D
LD
Red Oak Psychiatry Associates, Houston, TX 77090, USA. larrydg@earthlink.net
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002214:Capsules; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018692:Antimanic Agents; D002214:Capsules; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D002220:Carbamazepine