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Tondo L, Baldessarini RJ. Prevention of suicidal behavior with lithium treatment in patients with recurrent mood disorders. Int J Bipolar Disord 2024; 12:6. [PMID: 38460088 PMCID: PMC10924823 DOI: 10.1186/s40345-024-00326-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Suicidal behavior is more prevalent in bipolar disorders than in other psychiatric illnesses. In the last thirty years evidence has emerged to indicate that long-term treatment of bipolar disorder patients with lithium may reduce risk of suicide and attempts, with possibly similar benefits in recurrent major depressive disorder. We review and update selected research literature on effects of lithium treatment in reducing suicidal behavior and consider proposals that higher levels of lithium in drinking water may be associated with lower suicide rates. We summarize results of a growing number of randomized, controlled studies of lithium treatment for suicide prevention including comparisons with placebos or alternative treatments, and comment on the severe challenges of such trials. The basis of a proposed protective effect of lithium against suicidal behaviors remains uncertain but may include protective effects against recurrences of depressive phases of mood disorders, especially with mixed features or agitation, and possibly through beneficial effects on impulsivity, agitation and dysphoric mood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Tondo
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- International Consortium for Mood & Psychotic Disorder Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.
- Lucio Bini Mood Disorder Centers, Centro Lucio Bini, 42 Via Crescenzio, Cagliari and Rome, 00193, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ross J Baldessarini
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- International Consortium for Mood & Psychotic Disorder Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
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Ng VWS, Leung MTY, Chan EW, Lee EHM, Hayes JF, Osborn DPJ, Wing YK, Lau WCY, Man KKC, Wong ICK. Association between the mood stabilizing treatment of bipolar disorder and risk of suicide attempts: A self-controlled case series study. Psychiatry Res 2023; 325:115236. [PMID: 37172400 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BPD) is associated with high rates of suicide attempts but the anti-suicidal effect of mood stabilizing agents remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between mood stabilizing agents (lithium, valproate, lamotrigine, carbamazepine or antipsychotics) and risk of suicide attempts in patients with BPD using self-controlled case series study design. Among 14,087 patients with BPD who received mood stabilizing agents from 2001 to 2020 in Hong Kong, 1316 patients had at least one suicide attempts during the observation period. An increased risk of suicide attempts was observed 14 days before treatment initiation compared to non-exposed period. Following treatment initiation, an increased risk with smaller magnitude was found with the use of mood stabilizing agents. A lower risk was observed with lithium and antiepileptics while the risk remained attenuated with decreasing magnitude with antipsychotics. During 30-day post-treatment period, the risk was elevated. Therefore, this study suggests that use of mood stabilizing agents is not causally associated with an increased risk of suicide attempts. Indeed, there are potential protective effects of lithium and antiepileptics against suicide attempts. Assiduous monitoring of symptoms relapse and warning signs of suicide should be part of the management plan and discussed between clinicians, caregivers and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa W S Ng
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Centre for Safe Medication Practice and Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Miriam T Y Leung
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Centre for Safe Medication Practice and Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Esther W Chan
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Centre for Safe Medication Practice and Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health (D(2)4H), Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China; Department of Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China; The University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Shenzhen, China
| | - Edwin H M Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Joseph F Hayes
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David P J Osborn
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, London NW10PE, United Kingdom
| | - Yun Kwok Wing
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wallis C Y Lau
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Centre for Safe Medication Practice and Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Research Department of Practice and Policy, School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health (D(2)4H), Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China; Centre for Medicines Optimisation Research and Education, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kenneth K C Man
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Centre for Safe Medication Practice and Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Research Department of Practice and Policy, School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health (D(2)4H), Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Ian C K Wong
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Centre for Safe Medication Practice and Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Research Department of Practice and Policy, School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health (D(2)4H), Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China; Aston Pharmacy School, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
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Forte A, Pompili M, Imbastaro B, De Luca GP, Mastrangelo M, Montalbani B, Baldessarini RJ. Effects on suicidal risk: Comparison of clozapine to other newer medicines indicated to treat schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. J Psychopharmacol 2021; 35:1074-1080. [PMID: 34291676 DOI: 10.1177/02698811211029738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clozapine is the only treatment with regulatory-recognition of lowering suicidal risk, at least in schizophrenia patients. It remains uncertain whether such effects extend to other drugs for psychosis. METHODS We searched for reports on rates of suicidal behavior during treatment with clozapine and other modern drugs for psychosis (aripiprazole, olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, and ziprasidone) versus comparison or control treatments and analyzed the contrasts by random-effect meta-analysis to obtain pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS We identified 35 paired comparisons of modern drugs for psychosis versus comparison or control treatments in 18 reports. There was moderate overall superiority of all agents tested over alternatives (OR = 0.522, p = 0.004). With clozapine, this effect was large (OR = 0.229, p < 0.0001) and consistent (7/7 trials), but significant antisuicidal effects were not found with other drugs for psychosis in 28 other trials (OR = 0.941, p = 0.497). Apparent efficacy of specific agents ranked: risperidone ⩾ olanzapine ⩾ aripiprazole ⩾ ziprasidone ⩾ mixed drugs for psychosis ⩾ quetiapine, but none of these differences was significant. CONCLUSIONS An ability of clozapine to reduce risk of suicides and attempts in schizophrenia patients appears to be a unique effect not shared with other modern medicines indicated for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Forte
- Psychiatry Residency Program, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.,Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, ASL Roma 5, Rome, Italy.,International Consortium for Mood and Psychotic Disorder Research, Mailman Research Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Maurizio Pompili
- International Consortium for Mood and Psychotic Disorder Research, Mailman Research Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.,Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs, Suicide Prevention Centre, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Benedetta Imbastaro
- Psychiatry Residency Program, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | | | - Martina Mastrangelo
- Psychiatry Residency Program, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Benedetta Montalbani
- Psychiatry Residency Program, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Ross J Baldessarini
- International Consortium for Mood and Psychotic Disorder Research, Mailman Research Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Jefsen OH, Østergaard SD, Nielsen J, Rohde C. Real-world effectiveness of mood stabilizers on self-harm and suicide attempts in patients with bipolar disorder: A 2-year mirror-image study. JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2020.100064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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Cyclothymic temperament: Associations with ADHD, other psychopathology, and medical morbidity in the general population. J Affect Disord 2020; 260:440-447. [PMID: 31539678 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.08.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cyclothymic temperament (CT) is an affective disposition often preceding bipolar disorder (BD), and is the most common affective temperament in patients with BD. In depressed patients, CT is a predictor for developing a bipolar course. In a clinical sample of adults with BD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), CT was associated with higher loads of psychiatric symptoms, somatic comorbidity, impairment, and higher morbidity among first-degree relatives. We aimed to investigate the morbidity and occupational functioning of persons with CT in the general population. METHODS Randomly recruited Norwegian adults (n = 721) were assessed with a 21-item cyclothymic subscale from the TEMPS Autoquestionnaire. Self-reported data were collected on psychiatric symptoms, comorbidity, educational and occupational level, and known family morbidity. RESULTS Thirteen percent had CT associated with an increased prevalence of ADHD, BD, high scores on the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ), and childhood and adulthood ADHD symptoms. CT was found in 75% (p < .001) of the bipolar participants, and in 68% (p < .001) of those with a positive MDQ score. CT was associated with more anxiety/depression, substance and alcohol problems, lower educational and occupational levels, and having a first-degree relative with anxiety/depression, alcohol problems, ADHD, and BD. LIMITATIONS The CT subscale alone might include overlapping features with cyclothymic, anxious, irritable, and depressed temperaments, thus increasing the prevalence estimate of CT. CONCLUSIONS CT is a strong predictor of occupational failure and associated with more psychiatric impairment in the participants and their families. CT should be assessed in both mood disorder and ADHD patients.
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Schaffer A, Weinstock LM, Sinyor M, Reis C, Goldstein BI, Yatham LN, Levitt AJ. Self-poisoning suicide deaths in people with bipolar disorder: characterizing a subgroup and identifying treatment patterns. Int J Bipolar Disord 2017; 5:16. [PMID: 28332123 PMCID: PMC5406320 DOI: 10.1186/s40345-017-0081-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize self-poisoning suicide deaths in BD compared to other suicide decedents. METHODS Extracted coroner data from all suicide deaths (n = 3319) in Toronto, Canada from 1998 to 2012. Analyses of demographics, clinical history, recent stressors, and suicide details were conducted in 5 subgroups of suicide decedents: BD self-poisoning, BD other methods, non-BD self-poisoning, non-BD other methods, and unipolar depression self-poisoning. Toxicology results for lethal and present substances were also compared between BD and non-BD self-poisoning subgroups as well as between BD and unipolar depression self-poisoning subgroups. RESULTS Among BD suicide decedents, self-poisoning was significantly associated with female sex, past suicide attempts, and comorbid substance abuse. In both the BD and non-BD self-poisoning groups, opioids were the most common class of lethal medication. For both groups, benzodiazepines and antidepressants were the most common medications present at time of death, and in 23% of the BD group, an antidepressant was present without a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic. Only 31% of the BD group had any mood stabilizer present, with carbamazepine being most common. No antidepressant, mood stabilizer, or antipsychotic was present in 15.5% of the BD group. Relative to unipolar depression self-poisoning group, the BD self-poisoning group evidenced higher proportion of previous suicide attempt(s) and psychiatry/ER visits in the previous week. CONCLUSION People with BD who die by suicide via self-poisoning comprise a distinct but understudied group. The predominant absence of guideline-concordant pharmacologic care comprises a crucial target for future policy and knowledge translation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayal Schaffer
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Room FG 52, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5 Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lauren M. Weinstock
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, RI USA
| | - Mark Sinyor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Catherine Reis
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Room FG 52, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5 Canada
| | - Benjamin I. Goldstein
- Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lakshmi N. Yatham
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Anthony J. Levitt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
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Solmi M, Zaninotto L, Toffanin T, Veronese N, Lin K, Stubbs B, Fornaro M, Correll CU. A comparative meta-analysis of TEMPS scores across mood disorder patients, their first-degree relatives, healthy controls, and other psychiatric disorders. J Affect Disord 2016; 196:32-46. [PMID: 26897455 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2016.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Temperament Evaluation Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Auto-questionnaire (TEMPS) is validated to assess temperament in clinical and non-clinical samples. Scores vary across bipolar disorder (BD), major depressive disorder (MDD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), borderline personality disorder (BPD) and healthy controls (HCs), but a meta-analysis is missing. METHODS Meta-analysis of studies comparing TEMPS scores in patients with mood disorders or their first-degree relatives to each other, or to a psychiatric control group or HCs. RESULTS Twenty-six studies were meta-analyzed with patients with BD (n= 2025), MDD (n=1283), ADHD (n=56) and BPD (n=43), relatives of BD (n=436), and HCs (n=1757). Cyclothymic (p<0.001) and irritable TEMPS scores (p<0.001) were higher in BD than MDD (studies=12), and in MDD vs HCs (studies=8). Cyclothymic (p<0.001), irritable (p<0.001) and anxious (p=0.03) scores were higher in BD than their relatives, who, had higher scores than HCs. No significant differences emerged between ADHD and BD (studies=3); CONCLUSION Affective temperaments are on a continuum, with increasing scores ranging from HCs through MDD to BD regarding cyclothymic and irritable temperament, from MDD through BD to HC regarding hyperthymic temperament, and from HC through BD relatives to BD regarding cyclothymic, irritable and anxious temperament. Depressive and anxious temperaments did not differ between BD and MDD, being nonetheless the lowest in HCs. BD did not differ from ADHD in any investigated TEMPS domain. LIMITATIONS Different TEMPS versions, few studies comparing BD with ADHD or BPD, no correlation with other questionnaires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Solmi
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Mental Health Department, Local Health Unit ULSS 17, Monselice, Padova, Italy.
| | - Leonardo Zaninotto
- Department of Biomedical and Neuro-Motor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Veronese
- Department of Medicine - DIMED, Geriatrics Section, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Kangguang Lin
- Department of Affective Disorder, Guangzhou Brain Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Brendon Stubbs
- Physiotherapy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AZ, United Kingdom; Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Box SE5 8 AF London, United Kingdom
| | - Michele Fornaro
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, NY, USA
| | - Christoph U Correll
- The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Psychiatry Research, North Shore, Glen Oaks, NY, USA; Hofsra North Shore LIJ School of Medicine, Hampstead, NY, USA
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Schaffer A, Isometsä ET, Tondo L, Moreno DH, Sinyor M, Kessing LV, Turecki G, Weizman A, Azorin JM, Ha K, Reis C, Cassidy F, Goldstein T, Rihmer Z, Beautrais A, Chou YH, Diazgranados N, Levitt AJ, Zarate CA, Yatham L. Epidemiology, neurobiology and pharmacological interventions related to suicide deaths and suicide attempts in bipolar disorder: Part I of a report of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders Task Force on Suicide in Bipolar Disorder. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2015; 49:785-802. [PMID: 26185269 PMCID: PMC5116383 DOI: 10.1177/0004867415594427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Bipolar disorder is associated with elevated risk of suicide attempts and deaths. Key aims of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders Task Force on Suicide included examining the extant literature on epidemiology, neurobiology and pharmacotherapy related to suicide attempts and deaths in bipolar disorder. METHODS Systematic review of studies from 1 January 1980 to 30 May 2014 examining suicide attempts or deaths in bipolar disorder, with a specific focus on the incidence and characterization of suicide attempts and deaths, genetic and non-genetic biological studies and pharmacotherapy studies specific to bipolar disorder. We conducted pooled, weighted analyses of suicide rates. RESULTS The pooled suicide rate in bipolar disorder is 164 per 100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval = [5, 324]). Sex-specific data on suicide rates identified a 1.7:1 ratio in men compared to women. People with bipolar disorder account for 3.4-14% of all suicide deaths, with self-poisoning and hanging being the most common methods. Epidemiological studies report that 23-26% of people with bipolar disorder attempt suicide, with higher rates in clinical samples. There are numerous genetic associations with suicide attempts and deaths in bipolar disorder, but few replication studies. Data on treatment with lithium or anticonvulsants are strongly suggestive for prevention of suicide attempts and deaths, but additional data are required before relative anti-suicide effects can be confirmed. There were limited data on potential anti-suicide effects of treatment with antipsychotics or antidepressants. CONCLUSION This analysis identified a lower estimated suicide rate in bipolar disorder than what was previously published. Understanding the overall risk of suicide deaths and attempts, and the most common methods, are important building blocks to greater awareness and improved interventions for suicide prevention in bipolar disorder. Replication of genetic findings and stronger prospective data on treatment options are required before more decisive conclusions can be made regarding the neurobiology and specific treatment of suicide risk in bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayal Schaffer
- Task Force on Suicide, The International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD), Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Erkki T Isometsä
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leonardo Tondo
- Lucio Bini Center, Cagliari, Italy; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Doris H Moreno
- Section of Psychiatric Epidemiology and Mood Disorders Unit, Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mark Sinyor
- Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lars Vedel Kessing
- Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- Research and Academic Affairs, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Montréal, QC, Canada; Depressive Disorders Program, Douglas Institute, Montréal, QC, Canada; Departments of Psychiatry, Human Genetics, and Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Abraham Weizman
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, The Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah Tikva, Israel; Research Unit, Geha Mental Health Center, Petah Tikva, Israel; Department of Psychiatry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jean-Michel Azorin
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Sainte Marguerite Hospital, Marseille, France; University of Aix-Marseille II, Marseille, France
| | - Kyooseob Ha
- Mood Disorders Clinic and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea; Korea Association for Suicide Prevention, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Catherine Reis
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Frederick Cassidy
- Division of Brain Stimulation and Neurophysiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tina Goldstein
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zoltán Rihmer
- Department of Clinical and Theoretical Mental Health, and Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis Medical University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Annette Beautrais
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yuan-Hwa Chou
- Section of Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Nancy Diazgranados
- Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anthony J Levitt
- Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Carlos A Zarate
- Experimental Therapeutics & Pathophysiology Branch, Division of Intramural Research Programs, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lakshmi Yatham
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Lithium is associated with decrease in all-cause and suicide mortality in high-risk bipolar patients: A nationwide registry-based prospective cohort study. J Affect Disord 2015; 183:159-65. [PMID: 26005778 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.04.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mortality rates, in particular due to suicide, are especially high in bipolar patients. This nationwide, registry-based study analyses the associations of medication use with hospitalization due to attempted suicides, deaths from suicide, and overall mortality across different psychotropic agents in bipolar patients. METHOD Altogether 826 bipolar patients hospitalized in Finland between 1996-2003 because of a suicide attempt were followed-up for a mean of 3.5 years. The relative risk of suicide attempts leading to hospitalization, completed suicide, and overall mortality during lithium vs. no-lithium, antipsychotic vs. no-antipsychotic, valproic acid vs. no-valproic acid, antidepressant vs. no-antidepressant and benzodiazepine vs. no-benzodiazepine treatment was measured. RESULTS The use of valproic acid (RR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.26-1.85, p<0.001), antidepressants (RR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.23-1.8, p<0.001) and benzodiazepines (RR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.23-1.80, p<0.001) was associated with increased risk of attempted suicide. Lithium was associated with a (non-significantly) lower risk of suicide attempts, and with significantly decreased suicide mortality in univariate (RR=0.39, 95% CI: 0.17-0.93, p=0.03), Cox (HR=0.37, 95% CI: 0.16-0.88, p=0.02) and marginal structural models (HR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.12-0.79, p=0.02). Moreover, lithium was related to decreased all-cause mortality by 49% (marginal structural models). LIMITATIONS Only high-risk bipolar patients hospitalized after a suicide attempt were studied. Diagnosis was not based on standardized diagnostic interviews; treatment regimens were uncontrolled. CONCLUSIONS Maintenance therapy with lithium, but not with other medications, is linked to decreased suicide and all-cause mortality in high-risk bipolar patients. Lithium should be considered for suicide prevention in high-risk bipolar patients.
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Smith EG, Austin KL, Kim HM, Miller DR, Eisen SV, Christiansen CL, Kilbourne AM, Sauer BC, McCarthy JF, Valenstein M. Suicide risk in Veterans Health Administration patients with mental health diagnoses initiating lithium or valproate: a historical prospective cohort study. BMC Psychiatry 2014; 14:357. [PMID: 25515091 PMCID: PMC4343189 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-014-0357-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lithium has been reported in some, but not all, studies to be associated with reduced risks of suicide death or suicidal behavior. The objective of this nonrandomized cohort study was to examine whether lithium was associated with reduced risk of suicide death in comparison to the commonly-used alternative treatment, valproate. METHODS A propensity score-matched cohort study was conducted of Veterans Health Administration patients (n=21,194/treatment) initiating lithium or valproate from 1999-2008. RESULTS Matching produced lithium and valproate treatment groups that were highly similar in all 934 propensity score covariates, including indicators of recent suicidal behavior, but recent suicidal ideation was not able to be included. In the few individuals with recently diagnosed suicidal ideation, a significant imbalance existed with suicidal ideation more prevalent at baseline among individuals initiating lithium than valproate (odds ratio (OR) 1.30, 95% CI 1.09, 1.54; p=0.003). No significant differences in suicide death were observed over 0-365 days in A) the primary intent-to-treat analysis (lithium/valproate conditional odds ratio (cOR) 1.22, 95% CI 0.82, 1.81; p=0.32); B) during receipt of initial lithium or valproate treatment (cOR 0.86, 95% CI 0.46, 1.61; p=0.63); or C) after such treatment had been discontinued/modified (OR 1.51, 95% CI 0.91, 2.50; p=0.11). Significantly increased risks of suicide death were observed after the discontinuation/modification of lithium, compared to valproate, treatment over the first 180 days (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.21, 6.11; p=0.015). CONCLUSIONS In this somewhat distinct sample (a predominantly male Veteran sample with a broad range of psychiatric diagnoses), no significant differences in associations with suicide death were observed between lithium and valproate treatment over 365 days. The only significant difference was observed over 0-180 days: an increased risk of suicide death, among individuals discontinuing or modifying lithium, compared to valproate, treatment. This difference could reflect risks either related to lithium discontinuation or higher baseline risks among lithium recipients (i.e., confounding) that became more evident when treatment stopped. Our findings therefore support educating patients and providers about possible suicide-related risks of discontinuing lithium even shortly after treatment initiation, and the close monitoring of patients after lithium discontinuation, if feasible. If our findings include residual confounding biasing against lithium, however, as suggested by the differences observed in diagnosed suicidal ideation, then the degree of beneficial reduction in suicide death risk associated with active lithium treatment would be underestimated. Further research is urgently needed, given the lack of interventions against suicide and the uncertainties concerning the degree to which lithium may reduce suicide risk during active treatment, increase risk upon discontinuation, or both.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric G Smith
- />Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D) Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), MD-152, ENRM VAMC, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730 USA
- />Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA USA
| | - Karen L Austin
- />Center for Clinical Management Research, Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI USA
- />Serious Mental Illness Treatment Resource and Evaluation Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - Hyungjin Myra Kim
- />Center for Clinical Management Research, Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI USA
- />Serious Mental Illness Treatment Resource and Evaluation Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI USA
- />Center for Statistical Consultation and Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - Donald R Miller
- />Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D) Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), MD-152, ENRM VAMC, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730 USA
- />Department of Health Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA USA
| | - Susan V Eisen
- />Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D) Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), MD-152, ENRM VAMC, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730 USA
- />Department of Health Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA USA
| | - Cindy L Christiansen
- />Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D) Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), MD-152, ENRM VAMC, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730 USA
- />Department of Health Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA USA
| | - Amy M Kilbourne
- />Center for Clinical Management Research, Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI USA
- />Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI), Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC USA
- />Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Brian C Sauer
- />VA IDEAS2.0 Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Salt Lake City, UT USA
- />Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - John F McCarthy
- />Center for Clinical Management Research, Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI USA
- />Serious Mental Illness Treatment Resource and Evaluation Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI USA
- />Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Marcia Valenstein
- />Center for Clinical Management Research, Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI USA
- />Serious Mental Illness Treatment Resource and Evaluation Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI USA
- />Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, USA
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Yerevanian BI, Choi YM. Impact of psychotropic drugs on suicide and suicidal behaviors. Bipolar Disord 2013; 15:594-621. [PMID: 23869907 DOI: 10.1111/bdi.12098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2011] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of psychotropic drugs on suicide and suicidal behaviors in bipolar disorders. METHODS A Medline search of articles published from January 1960 to January 2013 was performed using relevant keywords to identify studies examining the relationship of psychotropic drugs to suicidal behaviors. The publications were further reviewed for relevant references and information. Additionally, the US Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation Research website was searched. RESULTS The available studies used differing methodologies, making interpretation of the findings difficult. Studies suggest that antidepressants may increase suicidal risk in bipolar disorder, this possibly being related to the induction of broadly defined mixed states. There is no evidence that antiepileptic drugs as a class increase suicidal risk in patients with bipolar disorder. Only lithium provides convincing data that it reduces the risk of suicide over the long term. There is little known regarding the effects of antipsychotics, as well as anti-anxiety and hypnotic drugs, on suicidal behavior. CONCLUSIONS The available evidence for the impact of psychotropics on suicidal risk in patients with bipolar disorder is largely methodologically flawed and, except for a few instances, clinically not useful at this point. Adequately powered, prospective randomized controlled studies are needed to assess the impact of each class of psychotropic and each psychotropic as well as common combination therapies. Until such studies have been carried out, clinicians are urged to exercise caution in using these drugs and rely on the traditional means of carefully assessing and monitoring patients with bipolar disorder who are at high risk for suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boghos I Yerevanian
- Department of Psychiatry, Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center, North Hills, CA 91343, USA.
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