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Najar H, Pålsson E, Landén M. The Role of Atypicals With Regard to Weight Gain in Bipolar Disorder Treatment: Response to Mattes. Am J Psychiatry 2024; 181:658-659. [PMID: 38946272 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20240061r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Hemen Najar
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Section of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden (Najar, Pålsson, Landén); Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm (Landén)
| | - Erik Pålsson
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Section of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden (Najar, Pålsson, Landén); Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm (Landén)
| | - Mikael Landén
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Section of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden (Najar, Pålsson, Landén); Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm (Landén)
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Razavi MS, Fathi M, Vahednia E, Ardani AR, Honari S, Akbarzadeh F, Talaei A. Cognitive rehabilitation in bipolar spectrum disorder: A systematic review. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2024; 16:509-517. [PMID: 38645887 PMCID: PMC11033165 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2024.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives Neurocognitive deficits in bipolar disorder (BD) have a negative impact on the quality of life, even during the euthymic phase. And many studies conducted to improve cognitive deficits in bipolar disorder. This systematic review aims to summarize studies on cognitive rehabilitation (CR) conducted in bipolar patients and evaluate its impact on neurocognitive deficits. The primary objective is to explore how CR interventions can enhance cognitive functioning, treatment outcomes, and overall quality of life in this population. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Embase, and PsycINFO databases from 1950 to 2023, following the 2015 PRISMA-P guidelines, using search terms related to BD and CR. Results The initial search yielded 371 titles across the five databases. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria through screening, a total of 23 articles were included in the study. The selected articles evaluated verbal memory, attention, executive functions, and social cognition. Conclusion The findings suggest that CR can be an effective treatment approach for bipolar patients, aimed at enhancing their cognitive abilities, treatment outcomes, and overall quality of life. The primary finding of this study indicates that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) protocols, skill training, and homework exercises, which offer a daily structure, social support, and opportunities for exchanging coping strategies, are more effective in enhancing cognitive functions. However, it is important to acknowledge the notable limitations of this review. Firstly, we did not assess the methodological rigor of the included studies. Additionally, there was a lack of detailed analysis regarding specific cognitive rehabilitation approaches that adhere to core CR principles, resulting in increased heterogeneity within the reviewed studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elham Vahednia
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Rezaei Ardani
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sara Honari
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farzad Akbarzadeh
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Talaei
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Duffy A, Grof P. Longitudinal studies of bipolar patients and their families: translating findings to advance individualized risk prediction, treatment and research. Int J Bipolar Disord 2024; 12:12. [PMID: 38609722 PMCID: PMC11014837 DOI: 10.1186/s40345-024-00333-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bipolar disorder is a broad diagnostic construct associated with significant phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity challenging progress in clinical practice and discovery research. Prospective studies of well-characterized patients and their family members have identified lithium responsive (LiR) and lithium non-responsive (LiNR) subtypes that hold promise for advancement. METHOD In this narrative review, relevant observations from published longitudinal studies of well-characterized bipolar patients and their families spanning six decades are highlighted. DSM diagnoses based on SADS-L interviews were decided in blind consensus reviews by expert clinicians. Genetic, neurobiological, and psychosocial factors were investigated in subsets of well-characterized probands and adult relatives. Systematic maintenance trials of lithium, antipsychotics, and lamotrigine were carried out. Clinical profiles that included detailed histories of the clinical course, symptom sets and disorders segregating in families were documented. Offspring of LiR and LiNR families were repeatedly assessed up to 20 years using KSADS-PL format interviews and DSM diagnoses and sub-threshold symptoms were decided by expert clinicians in blind consensus reviews using all available clinical and research data. RESULTS A characteristic clinical profile differentiated bipolar patients who responded to lithium stabilization from those who did not. The LiR subtype was characterized by a recurrent fully remitting course predominated by depressive episodes and a positive family history of episodic remitting mood disorders, and not schizophrenia. Response to lithium clustered in families and the characteristic clinical profile predicted lithium response, with the episodic remitting course being a strong correlate. There is accumulating evidence that genetic and neurobiological markers differ between LiR and LiNR subtypes. Further, offspring of bipolar parents subdivided by lithium response differed in developmental history, clinical antecedents and early course of mood disorders. Moreover, the nature of the emergent course bred true from parent to offspring, independent of the nature of emergent psychopathology. CONCLUSIONS Bipolar disorders are heterogeneous and response to long-term lithium is associated with a familial subtype with characteristic course, treatment response, family history and likely pathogenesis. Incorporating distinctive clinical profiles that index valid bipolar subtypes into routine practice and research will improve patient outcomes and advance the development and translation of novel treatment targets to improve prevention and early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Duffy
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Paul Grof
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Hennion V, Scott J, Martinot V, Benizri C, Marie-Claire C, Bellivier F, Etain B. Associations between actigraphy estimates of sleep and circadian rhythmicity and psychotropic medications in bipolar disorders: An exploratory study. J Affect Disord 2024; 348:224-228. [PMID: 38159652 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.12.075] [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: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Disturbances in sleep and circadian rhythmicity (CR) are frequent in individuals with bipolar disorders (BD). Very few studies explored the associations between psychotropic medications and these disturbances in euthymic BD. Therefore, we aimed at exploring the associations between several classes of medications (lithium, sedative/non-sedative Atypical Antipsychotics (AAP), anticonvulsants, antidepressants, benzodiazepines) and sleep disturbances and CR dimensions in a sample of euthymic individuals with BD. METHODS We included euthymic adults with BD type 1 or 2 assessed with 21 days of actimetry. We used a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of sleep and CR estimates to generate dimensions to be studied in association with the current use of psychotropic medications, with adjustments for potential confounding factors. RESULTS We included individuals with BD-1 (n = 116) or BD-2 (n = 37). The PCA led to four dimensions of sleep and CR estimates. Benzodiazepines were associated with better sleep quality (pcorrected = 0.032). Aripiprazole was associated with less robust CR (pcorrected = 0.016), but with earlier peak of activity patterns (pcorrected = 0.020). Sedative AAPs were associated with better sleep quality, which was no longer significant after correction. We found no association between lithium or anticonvulsants and CR. LIMITATIONS The cross-sectional design and the possible non-representativeness of the sample were limitations of our study. CONCLUSIONS In euthymic individuals with BD, benzodiazepines may have a positive effect on sleep quality, while aripiprazole may have mixed effects on CR (less robust but with earlier peak of activity patterns). No association with lithium or anticonvulsants observed. Further studies are warranted to replicate and extend these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Hennion
- Optimisation Thérapeutique en Neuropsychopharmacologie, INSERM U1144, Université de Paris, Paris, France; AP-HP Nord, GH Saint-Louis-Lariboisière-Fernand-Widal, DMU Neurosciences, Département de Psychiatrie et de Médecine Addictologique, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, Paris, France.
| | - Jan Scott
- Optimisation Thérapeutique en Neuropsychopharmacologie, INSERM U1144, Université de Paris, Paris, France; Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Victoire Martinot
- Optimisation Thérapeutique en Neuropsychopharmacologie, INSERM U1144, Université de Paris, Paris, France; AP-HP Nord, GH Saint-Louis-Lariboisière-Fernand-Widal, DMU Neurosciences, Département de Psychiatrie et de Médecine Addictologique, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Chloé Benizri
- Optimisation Thérapeutique en Neuropsychopharmacologie, INSERM U1144, Université de Paris, Paris, France; AP-HP Nord, GH Saint-Louis-Lariboisière-Fernand-Widal, DMU Neurosciences, Département de Psychiatrie et de Médecine Addictologique, Paris, France; Établissement de SantÉ Mentale de Paris et Ivry-sur-Seine, Groupe MGEN, Paris, France
| | - Cynthia Marie-Claire
- Optimisation Thérapeutique en Neuropsychopharmacologie, INSERM U1144, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Frank Bellivier
- Optimisation Thérapeutique en Neuropsychopharmacologie, INSERM U1144, Université de Paris, Paris, France; AP-HP Nord, GH Saint-Louis-Lariboisière-Fernand-Widal, DMU Neurosciences, Département de Psychiatrie et de Médecine Addictologique, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Etain
- Optimisation Thérapeutique en Neuropsychopharmacologie, INSERM U1144, Université de Paris, Paris, France; AP-HP Nord, GH Saint-Louis-Lariboisière-Fernand-Widal, DMU Neurosciences, Département de Psychiatrie et de Médecine Addictologique, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
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Samalin L, Boudieu L, Llorca PM. Evaluating the efficacy and safety of the currently available once-every-two months long-acting injectable formulations of aripiprazole for the treatment of schizophrenia or as a maintenance monotherapy for bipolar I disorder in adults. Expert Rev Neurother 2024; 24:291-298. [PMID: 38299536 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2024.2313550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION An aripiprazole long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic is now available for gluteal administration every 2 months via two different formulations: aripiprazole lauroxil (AL) and aripiprazole monohydrate (Ari 2MRTU). These longer dosing regimens of aripiprazole LAI offer new potential benefits for patients. AREAS COVERED The authors review the evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of aripiprazole LAIs given every 2 months for the treatment of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (BD) in adults. The article culminates with the authors' expert perspectives on the subject. EXPERT OPINION AL 1064 mg every 2 months has established efficacy for the treatment of schizophrenia based on pharmacokinetic bridging studies and prospective data for treatment of an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia. In an open-label trial, Ari 2MRTU showed efficacy for the treatment of schizophrenia and BD type I based on pharmacokinetic parameters (comparable to aripiprazole once-monthly 400 mg); it also showed efficacy regarding the secondary endpoints. Multiple doses of AL 1064 mg or Ari 2MRTU 960 mg are generally well tolerated, in line with the safety profile of oral aripiprazole, with the exception of the injection-site reactions. While AL may require a 1-day initiation regimen, Ari 2MRTU 960 covers all the recommended doses of oral aripiprazole (10-20 mg).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Samalin
- Department of Psychiatry, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, University of Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Clermont Auvergne INP, Institut Pascal (UMR 6602), Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Ludivine Boudieu
- Department of Psychiatry, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, University of Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Clermont Auvergne INP, Institut Pascal (UMR 6602), Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Pierre Michel Llorca
- Department of Psychiatry, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, University of Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Clermont Auvergne INP, Institut Pascal (UMR 6602), Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Spoelma MJ, Leidreiter J, Bayes A, Jebejian A, Parker G. A naturalistic effectiveness study of maintenance therapies for the bipolar disorders. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2024; 149:98-109. [PMID: 38072004 PMCID: PMC10952660 DOI: 10.1111/acps.13646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment decision-making for individuals with bipolar disorder can be difficult. Recommendations from clinical practice guidelines can be affected by multiple methodological limitations, while pharmaco-epidemiological data suggest great variety in prescription practices across regions. Given these inconsistencies, this study aimed to provide an alternative perspective on the effectiveness of common bipolar disorder maintenance treatments through considering naturalistic data. METHODS A total of 246 individuals with bipolar disorder (84 bipolar I [BP-I], 162 bipolar II [BP-II]) were recruited through clinics and/or websites. All were euthymic and had trialled at least one mood stabiliser. They completed an online survey containing questions on demographics, clinical variables, symptomatology, and the effectiveness/side effect profiles of any mood stabilisers (MSTs) or atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) that they have taken. RESULTS Lithium and lamotrigine were the most commonly prescribed MSTs and the most effective at mood stabilisation. Lithium and lamotrigine appeared marginally more effective for BP-I and BP-II respectively, however, only the latter difference was statistically significant. Furthermore, lamotrigine had the more favourable side effect profile. Amongst the AAPs, quetiapine and olanzapine were the most commonly prescribed, but they were negligibly superior to other AAPs. CONCLUSION This study clearly established a preference for lamotrigine in the maintenance treatment of BP-II. While the literature consistently emphasises the primacy of lithium in bipolar disorder treatment, its side effect profile as observed in this study remains a concern. Future research considering moderators of treatment response and concomitant medications could help to identify further nuances to consider for treatment decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Spoelma
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, School of Clinical MedicineUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Black Dog InstituteSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | | | - Adam Bayes
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, School of Clinical MedicineUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Black Dog InstituteSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | | | - Gordon Parker
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, School of Clinical MedicineUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Gordon Private HospitalSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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Sperry S, Yocum A, McInnis M. Beyond traditional metrics: A novel method for measuring mood instability in bipolar disorder. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3880090. [PMID: 38343860 PMCID: PMC10854331 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3880090/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Background Clinical care for bipolar disorder (BD) has a narrow focus on prevention and remission of episodes with pre/post treatment reductions in symptom severity as the 'gold standard' for outcomes in clinical trials and measurement-based care strategies. The study aim was to provide a novel method for measuring outcomes in BD that has clinical utility and can stratify individuals with BD based on mood instability. Methods Participants were 603 with a BD (n=385), other or non-affective disorder (n=71), or no psychiatric history (n=147) enrolled in an intensive longitudinal cohort for at least 10 years that collects patient reported outcomes measures (PROMs) assessing depression, (hypo)mania, anxiety, and functioning every two months. Mood instability was calculated as the within-person variance of PROMs and stratified into low, moderate, and high thresholds, respectively. Outcomes Individuals with BD had significantly higher mood instability index's for depression, (hypo)mania, and anxiety compared to psychiatric comparisons (moderate effects, p's<.001) and healthy controls (large effects, p's<.001). A significantly greater proportion of individuals with BD fell into the moderate (depression: 52·8%; anxiety: 51·4%; (hypo)mania: 48·3%) and high instability thresholds (depression: 11·5%; anxiety: 9·1%; (hypo)mania: 10·8%) compared to psychiatric comparisons (moderate: 25·5 - 26·6%; high: 0% - 4·7%) and healthy controls (moderate: 2·9% - 17·1%; high: 0% - 1·4%). Being in the high or moderate instability threshold predicted worse health functioning (p's < .00, small to large effects). Interpretation Mood instability, as measured in commonly used PROMs, characterized the course of illness over time, correlated with functional outcomes, and significantly differentiated those with BD from healthy controls and psychiatric comparisons. Results suggest a paradigm shift in monitoring outcomes in BD, by measuring mood instability as a primary outcome index.
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Shuy YK, Santharan S, Chew QH, Sim K. International Trends in Lithium Use for Pharmacotherapy and Clinical Correlates in Bipolar Disorder: A Scoping Review. Brain Sci 2024; 14:102. [PMID: 38275522 PMCID: PMC10813799 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14010102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Lithium remains an effective option in the treatment of bipolar disorder (BD). Thus, we aim to characterize the pharmaco-epidemiological patterns of lithium use internationally over time and elucidate clinical correlates associated with BD using a scoping review, which was conducted using the methodological framework by Arksey and O'Malley (2005). We searched several databases for studies that examined the prescriptions for lithium and clinical associations in BD from inception until December 2023. This review included 55 articles from 1967 to 2023, which collected data from North America (n = 24, 43.6%), Europe (n = 20, 36.4%), and Asia (n = 11, 20.0%). The overall prescription rates ranged from 3.3% to 84% (33.4% before and 30.6% after the median year cutoffs). Over time, there was a decline in lithium use in North America (27.7% before 2010 to 17.1% after 2010) and Europe (36.7% before 2003 to 35.7% after 2003), and a mild increase in Asia (25.0% before 2003 to 26.2% after 2003). Lithium use was associated with specific demographic (e.g., age, male gender) and clinical factors (e.g., lower suicide risk). Overall, we found a trend of declining lithium use internationally, particularly in the West. Specific clinical correlates can support clinical decision-making for continued lithium use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Kang Shuy
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore;
| | - Sanjana Santharan
- Department of Emergency and Crisis Care, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore;
| | - Qian Hui Chew
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore;
| | - Kang Sim
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore;
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
- West Region, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
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Kessing LV. Why is lithium [not] the drug of choice for bipolar disorder? a controversy between science and clinical practice. Int J Bipolar Disord 2024; 12:3. [PMID: 38228882 DOI: 10.1186/s40345-023-00322-7] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During over half a century, science has shown that lithium is the most efficacious treatment for bipolar disorder but despite this, its prescription has consistently declined internationally during recent decades to approximately 35% ever use or less of patients with bipolar disorder. CONTENT This narrative review provides an overview of the decreasing use of lithium in bipolar disorder internationally, shortly summarises the evidence for lithium's acute and prophylactic effects in bipolar disorder, discuss the challenges in relation to lithium including side effects, long-term risks and myths around lithium and provides two detailed examples on how specialised care models may result in successful increase of the use of lithium to 70% of patients with bipolar disorder largescale and improve care regionally and nationally. CONCLUSIONS Decades of scientific investigations and education and teaching of clinicians and the public has not increased the use of lithium on a population-based large scale. It is argued that lithium should be the drug of choice for maintenance therapy as the single first-line treatment and that organizational changes are needed with specialised care for bipolar disorder to systematically and long-term change the use of lithium on a large-scale population-level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Vedel Kessing
- Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Copenhagen and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Kriner P, Severus E, Korbmacher J, Mußmann L, Seemueller F. Lithium prescription trends in psychiatric inpatient care 2014 to 2021: data from a Bavarian drug surveillance project. Int J Bipolar Disord 2023; 11:40. [PMID: 38112925 PMCID: PMC10730486 DOI: 10.1186/s40345-023-00323-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Lithium (Li) remains one of the most valuable treatment options for mood disorders. However, current knowledge about prescription practices in Germany is limited. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of current Li use over time and in selected diagnoses, highlighting clinically relevant aspects such as prescription rates in elderly patients, concomitant medications, important drug-drug interactions, and serious adverse events. METHODS We conducted a descriptive analysis of Li prescriptions, analyzing data from the ongoing Bavarian multicenter drug safety project Pharmaco-Epidemiology and Vigilance (Pharmako-EpiVig) from the years 2014-2021. Our study included 97,422 inpatients, 4543 of whom were prescribed Li. RESULTS The Li prescription rate in unipolar depression (UD) remained constant at 4.6% over the observational period. In bipolar disorder (BD), the prescription rate increased significantly from 28.8% in 2014 to 34.4% in 2019. Furthermore, 30.3% of patients with Li prescriptions did not have a diagnosis of BD or UD, and 15.3% of patients with schizoaffective disorder were prescribed Li. The majority (64%) of patients with Li prescriptions were prescribed five or more drugs. Most of the 178 high-priority drug-drug interactions were due to hydrochlorothiazide (N = 157) followed by olmesartan (N = 16). CONCLUSION Our study does not substantiate concerns about a decline in Li prescription. The decline in prescription rates observed in some diagnostic groups in 2020 and 2021 may be associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptom-oriented use of Li beyond BD and UD is common. Polypharmacy and drug-drug interactions present a challenge in Li therapy. Old age and comorbid substance use disorder do not appear to be major deterrents for clinicians to initiate Li therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Kriner
- Kbo-Lech-Mangfall-Klinik Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Auenstrasse 6, 82467, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
| | - Emanuel Severus
- Asklepios Klinik Nord Psychiatrie Ochsenzoll, Langenhorner Chaussee 560, 22419, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julie Korbmacher
- Bayerisches Institut Für Daten, Analysen Und Qualitätssicherung, Am Moosfeld 13, 81829, Munich, Germany
| | - Lisa Mußmann
- Bayerisches Institut Für Daten, Analysen Und Qualitätssicherung, Am Moosfeld 13, 81829, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Seemueller
- Kbo-Lech-Mangfall-Klinik Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Auenstrasse 6, 82467, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Nussbaumstrasse 7, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80336, Munich, Germany
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