A table summary: predictors of satisfactory/unsatisfactory efficacy of lithium salts

Compiled by Yimaitong, please do not reprint
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More than seventy years ago, Australian psychiatrist John Cade discovered the anti-manic effects of lithium; Today, lithium is still the gold standard
for preventing manic and depressive episodes in bipolar disorder.
In addition to being used as a mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar disorder, lithium salts are commonly used to enhance antidepressants
.

(Extended reading: lithium salt floating and sinking)

However, not all patients with bipolar disorder respond well to lithium therapy; In fact, the treatment response of different patients varies greatly, and the concept
of "lithium-sensitive bipolar disorder" has even emerged.
In this context, numerous studies have discussed
the predictors of the efficacy of lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Recently, Bradley G.
Burk of the University of Alabama et al.
, based on the existing high-quality review, summarized the "probable" and "possible" predictors of the ideal or unsatisfactory efficacy of lithium salt in the treatment of bipolar disorder as shown in Table 1:

Table 1 Predictors of satisfactory/unsatisfactory efficacy of lithium salts

It is important to note that these factors are not absolute, especially those that are "likely" predictors (eg, gender).

The clinical picture of the patient should be considered from a holistic perspective, rather than rigid based on individual factors
.

However, if it is found that there are "clusters" of predictors in patients with bipolar disorder, the above table has certain guiding value for the optimal use of lithium salts, which is helpful to allow the right patients to use the right drugs
.

Sources: Bradley G.
Burk, Rachel E.
Fargason, Badari Birur.
Current Psychiatry.
2022 September; 21(9):37,45 | doi: 10.
12788/cp.
0265