Bipolar Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bipolar, including details on bipolar disorder, symptoms, treatment, depression, medication.

Stabilizing the stabilizer: group psychoeducation enhances the stability of serum lithium levels.

Colom F, Vieta E, Sánchez-Moreno J, Martínez-Arán A, Reinares M, Goikolea J, Scott J

Bipolar Disorders Program, Institut d'Investigacions Biomédiques Agustí Pi Sunyer, Barcelona Stanley Foundation Center, Barcelona, Spain.

Objective: To determine the effect on the serum lithium levels of a psychoeducational program in patients with bipolar disorder. Method: This is a subanalysis of data obtained from a larger study on the efficacy of group psychoeducation in the prophylaxis of recurrences in bipolar disorders. Data on plasma lithium levels were obtained at five time points: baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Serum lithium levels of patients who had received psychoeduction (psychoeducated) (N = 49) and non-psychoeducated patients (N = 44) were compared. Results: Mean serum lithium levels were significantly higher and more stable for the psychoeducation group. Conclusions: As changes in serum lithium level may be a powerful predictor of recurrence for bipolar patients, the addition of group psychoeducation to standard pharmacological treatment may be beneficial to optimize serum lithium levels and, thereby improve outcome.

Published 17 October 2005 in Bipolar Disord, 7: 32-6.
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