BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate whether the risk of recurrence following lithium discontinuation is less than reported in discontinuation of a successful, long-term prophylaxis in bipolar patients. METHODS: A total of 32 bipolar patients discontinued lithium according to the controlled lithium discontinuation (CLD) protocol following a definite good response to lithium maintenance of at least 5 years. Subjects were followed for up to 9 years. RESULTS: The total rate of recurrence was 7% in the first week, 32% in the first month, 62% in the first year, and 81% at the end of the 9th year following discontinuation. Only six of the 32 patients (19%) did not have a recurrence during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Discontinuation of lithium seems to be followed by a high rate of recurrence in bipolar patients even after good response to a long-duration illness-free period. A controlled discontinuation protocol can reduce the risks of morbidity. Copyright 2003 Elsevier B.V.
BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate whether the risk of recurrence following lithium discontinuation is less than reported in discontinuation of a successful, long-term prophylaxis in bipolarpatients. METHODS: A total of 32 bipolarpatients discontinued lithium according to the controlled lithium discontinuation (CLD) protocol following a definite good response to lithium maintenance of at least 5 years. Subjects were followed for up to 9 years. RESULTS: The total rate of recurrence was 7% in the first week, 32% in the first month, 62% in the first year, and 81% at the end of the 9th year following discontinuation. Only six of the 32 patients (19%) did not have a recurrence during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Discontinuation of lithium seems to be followed by a high rate of recurrence in bipolarpatients even after good response to a long-duration illness-free period. A controlled discontinuation protocol can reduce the risks of morbidity. Copyright 2003 Elsevier B.V.
Authors: G M Goodwin; P M Haddad; I N Ferrier; J K Aronson; Trh Barnes; A Cipriani; D R Coghill; S Fazel; J R Geddes; H Grunze; E A Holmes; O Howes; S Hudson; N Hunt; I Jones; I C Macmillan; H McAllister-Williams; D R Miklowitz; R Morriss; M Munafò; C Paton; B J Saharkian; Kea Saunders; Jma Sinclair; D Taylor; E Vieta; A H Young Journal: J Psychopharmacol Date: 2016-03-15 Impact factor: 4.153