P0115 - The using of lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder - Changes in the time

Abstract

Introduction:

Bipolar disorder (BD) is chronic psychiatric disorder characterized by remission and exacerbations of mood disturbances. Treatment of BD is often complicated and includes in the first step treatment with lithium, after with other ”mood stabilizers“, antipsychotics, antidepressants.

The aim of study:

1. - To assess the changse of treatment with lithium over the period of time

2. - The number of hospitalizations in the patients with BD and differences in using of lithium, age and type of first episode

Patients and Methods:

1. - Retrospective survey of in-patient's files(1997 - 2007) with typical limitations for restrospective case survey:

2. - BD, n = 125 (67% women with BD, DSM-IV)

3. - Number of hospitalizations, average number hospitalizations/year, type of treatment, using of lithium

Results:

1. - The first episode was depressive in 62% of patients and average number of episodes: 6,2

2. - There was a steady decrease in use of mood stabilizers medication over the time(68% vs 82%)

3. - We observed increase in prescription of atypical antipsychotics (in 80% of patients; last 6 years = 93%)

4. - The using of lithium was in 52% of patients (in 41% patients during first hospitalization) with average dose 1250mg of lithium and average surface of lithium in blood: 0,64mmol/l

Conclusion:

We find out trend in using of lithium in 52% patients with BD last time again with average dose 1250mg per day and average surface of lithium in blood 0,64mmol/l and increasing of prescription of atypical antipsychotics (last 6 years = 93%).