van Marwijk HW, Bekker FM, Nolen WA, Jansen PA, van Nieuwkerk JF, Hop WC. Lithium augmentation in geriatric depression.
J Affect Disord 1990;
20:217-23. [PMID:
2149727 DOI:
10.1016/0165-0327(90)90053-b]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In the geriatric department of a Dutch psychiatric hospital the charts of 51 patients treated with lithium in addition to cyclic antidepressants were reviewed. A response was seen in 33 patients (65%). For patients with recurrent depressive episodes, a statistical trend was found towards more responders with more complete responses, compared to patients with first depressive episodes. During lithium augmentation, 10 patients suffered from severe adverse effects 12 times. In spite of adverse effects, with expert monitoring lithium augmentation can, in our opinion, be of value in the treatment of older depressed patients.
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