Lithium protects against suicide
Karolinska Institutet Jun 22, 2017
Suicidal behaviour decreases among individuals with bipolar disorder during periods of lithium medication, according to an extensive register–based study conducted at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.
The results were published in The American Journal of Psychiatry.
It is known that people with bipolar disorder have a high risk of committing suicide, but whether the drugs reduce the risk of suicide has not been sufficiently investigated. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have, therefore, conducted an extensive register–based study.
ÂWe now strongly augment the existing evidence that lithium treatment is protective against suicide attempts and suicideÂ, says Professor Paul Lichtenstein at Karolinska InstitutetÂs Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics. ÂWe estimate that more than ten per cent of attempted or completed suicides could have been avoided if these individuals had been continuously taking lithium during the study periodÂ.
The study was performed in collaboration with the University of Gothenburg and included more than 51,000 individuals with bipolar disorder from the Swedish National Patient Registry over an eight–year period (2006–2013). During this period, 10,648 suicide–related events occurred. All participants in the study were compared to themselves during periods with and without medication with lithium and valproate, respectively. The risk of suicide–related events was reduced by 14 per cent while individuals were receiving lithium, as compared with the same individuals while not receiving lithium.
The study also demonstrates that valproate, the most common alternative to lithium, probably has no effect on suicidal behaviour. Lithium medication has decreased steadily in recent years in Sweden. Paul Lichtenstein believes that the results of the study are of relevance for clinical decisions.
ÂWhen a doctor is trying to find the best pharmacological treatment for the patient, the anti–suicidal effect of lithium should be taken into consideration, especially for patients with suspected suicidal intentionsÂ, says Paul Lichtenstein.
The study was financed with grants from the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research, the Swedish foundation for Strategic Research, and the China Scholarship Council. No commercial interests have been reported.
Go to Original
The results were published in The American Journal of Psychiatry.
It is known that people with bipolar disorder have a high risk of committing suicide, but whether the drugs reduce the risk of suicide has not been sufficiently investigated. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have, therefore, conducted an extensive register–based study.
ÂWe now strongly augment the existing evidence that lithium treatment is protective against suicide attempts and suicideÂ, says Professor Paul Lichtenstein at Karolinska InstitutetÂs Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics. ÂWe estimate that more than ten per cent of attempted or completed suicides could have been avoided if these individuals had been continuously taking lithium during the study periodÂ.
The study was performed in collaboration with the University of Gothenburg and included more than 51,000 individuals with bipolar disorder from the Swedish National Patient Registry over an eight–year period (2006–2013). During this period, 10,648 suicide–related events occurred. All participants in the study were compared to themselves during periods with and without medication with lithium and valproate, respectively. The risk of suicide–related events was reduced by 14 per cent while individuals were receiving lithium, as compared with the same individuals while not receiving lithium.
The study also demonstrates that valproate, the most common alternative to lithium, probably has no effect on suicidal behaviour. Lithium medication has decreased steadily in recent years in Sweden. Paul Lichtenstein believes that the results of the study are of relevance for clinical decisions.
ÂWhen a doctor is trying to find the best pharmacological treatment for the patient, the anti–suicidal effect of lithium should be taken into consideration, especially for patients with suspected suicidal intentionsÂ, says Paul Lichtenstein.
The study was financed with grants from the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research, the Swedish foundation for Strategic Research, and the China Scholarship Council. No commercial interests have been reported.
Only Doctors with an M3 India account can read this article. Sign up for free or login with your existing account.
4 reasons why Doctors love M3 India
-
Exclusive Write-ups & Webinars by KOLs
-
Daily Quiz by specialty -
Paid Market Research Surveys -
Case discussions, News & Journals' summaries
