title: An observational study of 110 elderly lithium-treated patients followed up for 6 years with particular reference to renal function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent observational studies have focused on lithium treatment in the elderly, with particular reference to safety in terms of thyroid and renal functions. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics of patients starting lithium treatment before (N = 79) or after (N = 31) the age of 65 years. Patients were followed up for 6 years with focus on renal function and prescription of levothyroxine and methimazole.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, median lithium serum concentration was 0.55 mmol/l. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was lower than 60 ml/min/1.73 m2in 43 (39%) patients. In a multiple regression analysis controlling for age and gender, we found a significant effect of duration of lithium treatment on estimated glomerular filtration rate (-0.85 ml/min/1.73 m2per year of prior exposure). The annual decline during follow-up was 2.3 ml/min/1.73 m2. Two patients were prescribed levothyroxine, and two were prescribed methimazole for the first time during follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Median lithium serum concentration in this cohort of elderly patients with mainly bipolar disorders was lower than the therapeutic range indicated for younger adults. The decline in glomerular filtration rate may be accelerated by long-term lithium use. Thyroid and renal functions continue to require close monitoring throughout the course of lithium treatment. Trial registration NP/2013/3836. Registered 24 June 2013.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Cagliari, "San Giovanni di Dio" Hospital, Via Ospedale 54, 09124, Cagliari, Italy.|Section of Neurosciences and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bocchetta
authors.affiliation: Section of Neurosciences and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cabras
authors.affiliation: Section of Neurosciences and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pinna
authors.affiliation: Neurology Outpatient Unit, Local Health Agency, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poddighe
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sardu
authors.affiliation: Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Cagliari, "San Giovanni di Dio" Hospital, Via Ospedale 54, 09124, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ardau
authors.affiliation: Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Cagliari, "San Giovanni di Dio" Hospital, Via Ospedale 54, 09124, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chillotti
authors.affiliation: Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Cagliari, "San Giovanni di Dio" Hospital, Via Ospedale 54, 09124, Cagliari, Italy. delzompo@unica.it.|Section of Neurosciences and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. delzompo@unica.it.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Zompo
keywords: Bipolar disorders; Creatinine; Depression; Elderly; Kidney; Lithium; Mood disorders; Nephrotoxicity; Thyroid