Monitoring of patients treated with lithium for bipolar disorder: an international survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Adequate monitoring of patients using lithium is needed for optimal dosing and for early identification of patients with (potential) ADEs. The objective was to internationally assess how health care professionals monitor patients treated with lithium for bipolar disorder.

Methods

Using networks of various professional organizations, an anonymous online survey was conducted among health care professionals prescribing lithium. Target lithium serum levels and frequency of monitoring was assessed together with monitoring of physical and laboratory parameters. Reasons to and not to monitor and use of guidelines and institutional protocols, and local monitoring systems were investigated.

Results

The survey was completed by 117 health care professionals incorporat

SUBMITTER: Nederlof M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6161983 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature