Lithium in Unipolar Depression and the Prevention of Suicide

摘要: Unipolar depression is a severe recurrent illness with high lifetime morbidity and premature mortality due to suicide. Numerous double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have shown that lithium very effective at reducing relapses when given as maintenance therapy. It also therapy after electroconvulsive can be once day night, controlled 12-hour plasma level between 0.5 0.7 mmol/L the most effective, slight side effects. Long-term studies of show suicide rate 1.3 suicides per 1000 patient years. This much lower than comparative in long-term follow-up untreated depression, which about 5.5 Although it neither feasible nor ethical carry out double-blind on reduction, massive evidence showing reduction treatment suggests systematic unipolar could considerably rate. Language: en