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The Impact of Lithium in South-West Scotland II. A Longitudinal Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Summary

In a longitudinal study in South-west Scotland of patients suffering mainly from affective illness, the introduction of lithium as prophylactic therapy was associated with a significant reduction in the number and length of hospital in-patient admissions, as well as in the number of courses and total number of electro-convulsive treatments. However, there was no significant reduction in the length of time patients received either antidepressants or major tranquillisers. A rating of individual patients suggested that a bare majority (52%) had improved considerably following the introduction of lithium.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1985 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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