Comparative effectiveness of valproic acid in different serum concentrations for maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder: A retrospective cohort study using target trial emulation framework.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There is a lack of consensus on the optimal serum valproic acid (VPA) concentration for maintenance therapy in bipolar disorder (BD). We aimed to investigate the association between serum VPA levels and risk of mood episode recurrence.

Methods

We enrolled patients with BD from multiple medical institutions in Taiwan between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2019. Patients were divided into three groups according to their serum VPA concentrations (< 50 μg/ml, 50-74 μg/ml, and 75-104 μg/ml). Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) compared times to mood episode recurrence using the < 50 μg/ml group as reference. A systematic review found relevant articles published before February 2022 (PROSPERO: CRD42022309661), and corresponding results wer

SUBMITTER: Chen YB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9526172 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature