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Phelps J, Coskey OP. Low and very low lithium levels: Thyroid effects are small but still require monitoring. Bipolar Disord 2024; 26:129-135. [PMID: 37704933 DOI: 10.1111/bdi.13377] [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] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
AIM Low doses of lithium, as might be used for mood or dementia prevention, do not carry the same renal, toxicity, and tolerability problems of doses used for prophylaxis or treatment of mania. However, thyroid effects of low doses have not been investigated. Our goal in this study was to assess the changes in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) associated with a broad range of lithium levels, including those well below the therapeutic range for bipolar disorders. METHODS This study was conducted in a small healthcare system with 19 associated primary care clinics served by a Collaborative Care program of psychiatric consultation. In this retrospective review of electronic records, we searched for patients who had received a lithium prescription and both pre- and post-lithium thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. RESULTS Patients with low lithium levels (<0.5 mEq/L, N = 197) had a mean thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) increase of 0.52 mIU/L. Patients with maintenance lithium levels (0.5-0.8 mEq/L; N = 123) had a mean TSH increase of 1.01 mIU/L; and patients with antimanic lithium levels (>0.8 mEq/L; N = 79) had a mean TSH increase of 2.16 mIU/L. The probability of TSH exceeding the upper limit of normal in our laboratory (>4.2 mIU/L) was positively associated with pre-lithium TSH. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the risk of lithium-induced hypothyroidism is dose-related, and relatively small with very low doses, but thyroid monitoring, including a pre-lithium TSH, is still warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Phelps
- Samaritan Mental Health, Samaritan Health Services, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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Cerimele JM, Franta G, Blanchard BE, Leasure W, Fortney JC. Bipolar Disorder Symptom Monitoring Measures: A Mixed-Methods Study of Patient Preferences. J Acad Consult Liaison Psychiatry 2024; 65:148-156. [PMID: 37967752 PMCID: PMC11032232 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaclp.2023.11.266] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the perceived acceptability and helpfulness of bipolar disorder symptom measures and rank the measures in order of preference among individuals with bipolar disorder. METHODS We recruited 20 participants 18 years of age or older with any type of bipolar disorder from a primary care clinical site and a national advocacy organization. We used a simultaneous complementary mixed-method design involving completion of symptom measures, a semistructured interview, and numerical ranking of measures. Participants completed three symptom measures or combination of measures: 1) Affective Self-Rating Scale; 2) combination Patient Mania Questionnaire-9 (PMQ-9) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); and 3) combination Altman Self-Rating Mania Rating Scale and PHQ-9. A semistructured interview was conducted, and participants ranked their preferences for measures. Interviews focused on participants' rationale for measuring preferences. Interviews were analyzed by two psychiatrist-investigators using content analysis, and themes were determined. Average rank of each measure was determined. RESULTS The average rank for each measure was 1.48 for the combination PMQ-9 and PHQ-9, 1.68 for the Affective Self-Rating Scale, and 2.85 for the combination Altman Self-Rating Mania Rating Scale and PHQ-9, indicating that the combination PMQ-9 and PHQ-9 (top-ranked measure by 55% of participants) was the most preferred among the three measures. Major themes that emerged from the data were: 1) measure format; 2) patient experience; 3) clinical practice; and 4) therapeutic effects. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with bipolar disorder preferred the combination PMQ-9 and PHQ-9 for use in monitoring treatment due to perceived strengths such as format, ease of completion and interpretation, accurate description of experiences, and feasibility of use in practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Cerimele
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA.
| | - Gabriel Franta
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Brittany E Blanchard
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - William Leasure
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - John C Fortney
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA; Department of Veterans Affairs, HSR&D Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA
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Cerimele JM, Blanchard BE, Johnson M, Russo J, Bauer AM, Veith RC, Unützer J, Fortney JC. Effectiveness of Collaborative Care and Colocated Specialty Care for Bipolar Disorder in Primary Care: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. J Acad Consult Liaison Psychiatry 2023; 64:349-356. [PMID: 36764483 PMCID: PMC10688610 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaclp.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with bipolar disorder commonly present for treatment in primary care settings. Collaborative care and colocated specialty care models can improve quality of care and outcomes, though it is unknown which model is more effective. OBJECTIVE To compare 12-month treatment outcomes for primary care patients with bipolar disorder randomized to treatment with collaborative care or colocated specialty care. METHODS We conducted a secondary analysis of 191 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder treated for 12 months during a comparative effectiveness trial in 12 Federally Qualified Health Centers in three states. Characteristics and outcomes were assessed at enrollment and 12 months. The primary outcome was mental health quality of life scores (Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey Mental Health Component Summary), and secondary outcomes included depression and anxiety symptom scores, euthymic mood state, and recovery. T-tests and multiple linear and logistic regression models were used. RESULTS Among participants (mean age: 40 years; 73% women), the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey Mental Health Component Summary increased in both arms over 12 months (baseline: collaborative care 21.99, SD 10.78; colocated specialty 24.15, SD 12.05; 12-month collaborative care 30.63, SD 13.33; colocated specialty 34.16, SD 12.65). The mean Mental Health Component Summary change did not differ by arm (collaborative care: MΔ = 9.09; colocated specialty: MΔ = 10.73; t = -0.67, P = 0.50). Secondary outcomes also improved at 12 months compared to baseline measured by the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (MΔ = -0.75; SD = 0.85), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (MΔ = -3.92; SD = 6.48), and Recovery Assessment Scale (MΔ = 0.37; SD = 0.65) and did not differ significantly by arm. The proportion of participants with euthymic mood state increased from 11% to 25% with no statistically significant difference by arm. CONCLUSIONS The effectiveness of collaborative care and that of colocated specialty care were similar. Both were associated with substantial improvements in mental health quality of life and symptom reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Cerimele
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA.
| | - Brittany E Blanchard
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Morgan Johnson
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Joan Russo
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Amy M Bauer
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Richard C Veith
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Jürgen Unützer
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - John C Fortney
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA; Department of Veterans Affairs, HSR&D Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA
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Huang H, Nissen N, Lim CT, Gören JL, Spottswood M, Huang H. Treating Bipolar Disorder in Primary Care: Diagnosis, Pharmacology, and Management. Int J Gen Med 2022; 15:8299-8314. [PMID: 36447648 PMCID: PMC9701507 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s386875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental illness associated with early mortality, elevated risk of comorbid cardiovascular disease, enormous burden of disability, and large societal costs. Patients often seek treatment for symptoms of bipolar disorder in the primary care setting but are frequently misdiagnosed. This article provides primary care providers with an evidence-based approach to the screening, diagnosis, and pharmacological management of bipolar disorder. Guidance is also provided for helping patients connect with higher levels of specialty psychiatric care when clinically indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Nicholas Nissen
- Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Christopher T Lim
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jessica L Gören
- Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Pharmacy, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Margaret Spottswood
- Community Health Centers of Burlington, Burlington, VT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Hsiang Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Cerimele JM, Russo J, Bauer AM, Hawrilenko M, Pyne JM, Dalack GW, Kroenke K, Unützer J, Fortney JC. The Patient Mania Questionnaire (PMQ-9): a Brief Scale for Assessing and Monitoring Manic Symptoms. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:1680-1687. [PMID: 34145517 PMCID: PMC9130397 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-021-06947-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Measurement-based care is an effective clinical strategy underutilized for bipolar disorder partly due to lacking a widely adopted patient-reported manic symptom measure. OBJECTIVE To report development and psychometric properties of a brief patient-reported manic symptom measure. DESIGN Secondary analysis of data collected in a randomized effectiveness trial comparing two treatments for 1004 primary care patients screening positive for bipolar disorder and/or PTSD. PARTICIPANTS Two analytic samples included 114 participants with varied diagnoses and test-retest data, and 179 participants with psychiatrist-diagnosed bipolar disorder who had two or more assessments with the nine-item Patient Mania Questionnaire-9 [PMQ-9]). MAIN MEASURES Internal and test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, and sensitivity to change were assessed. Minimally important difference (MID) was estimated by standard error of measurement (SEM) and by standard deviation (SD) effect sizes. KEY RESULTS The PMQ-9 had high internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.88) and test-retest reliability (0.85). Concurrent validity correlation with manic symptom measures was high for the Internal State Scale-Activation Subscale (0.70; p<0.0001), and lower for the Altman Mania Rating Scale (0.26; p=0.007). Longitudinally, PMQ-9 was completed at 1511 clinical encounters in 179 patients with bipolar disorder. Mean PMQ-9 score at first and last encounters was 14.5 (SD 6.5) and 10.1 (SD 7.0), a 27% decrease in mean score during treatment, suggesting sensitivity to change. A point estimate of the MID was approximately 3 points (range of 2-4). CONCLUSIONS The PMQ-9 demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, internal consistency, and sensitivity to change and was widely used and acceptable to patients and clinicians in a pragmatic clinical trial. Combined with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) measure of depressive symptoms this brief measure could inform measurement-based care for individuals with bipolar disorder in primary care and mental health care settings given its ease of administration and familiar self-report response format.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Cerimele
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Joan Russo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Amy M Bauer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Matt Hawrilenko
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, HSR&D Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Pyne
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Gregory W Dalack
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kurt Kroenke
- Center for Health Services and Outcomes Research, Regenstrief Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jürgen Unützer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - John C Fortney
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, HSR&D Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Health Services, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA
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Phelps JR, Pipitone OR, Squires K, Bale JD. Lamotrigine and lithium in primary care psychiatric consultation: adoption and adverse effects. Fam Pract 2021; 38:381-386. [PMID: 33367908 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmaa131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Collaborative Care Model of psychiatric consultation in primary care has improved outcomes for unipolar depression, but bipolar depressions are challenging for providers and consultants. Although lamotrigine and lithium are both first line medications for bipolar depression, their use in primary care has been declining over the last decade. OBJECTIVE Our project aimed to quantify the frequency of and adoption of recommendations for lamotrigine and lithium, and their adverse effects, in a Collaborative Care program. METHODS Chart review. RESULTS For 620 depressed adult patients (Public Health Questionnaire, 9-item ≥10), lamotrigine and lithium were recommended by psychiatric consultant for 35% and 26% of patients, respectively; and when recommended, were prescribed by primary care providers 50% and 32% of the time, respectively. Eighty-four percent of lithium dosages were 600 mg or less; average serum level 0.32 mEq/l. In follow-up up to 6 months, lithium was associated with no more weight gain than lamotrigine; but 12% of patients receiving lithium had thyroid stimulating hormone increases exceeding the upper limit of normal, occurring in an average of 32 days after the initial prescription. CONCLUSIONS (i) In a Collaborative Care program of psychiatric consultation, recommendations for lamotrigine and lithium were very frequent. (ii) Adoption of these recommendations is variable, warranting further investigation. (iii) Like higher doses, low doses of lithium induced hypothyroidism (rapidly)-but not weight gain.
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Cerimele JM. Collaborative Care, Outpatient Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, and JACLP. J Acad Consult Liaison Psychiatry 2021; 62:267-269. [PMID: 34092346 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaclp.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Cerimele
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA.
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