Changes of lipid levels and body weight during the treatment of bipolar disorder by lithium carbonate combined with olanzapine or lithium

Abstract

Objective To study the changes of lipid levels and body weight during the treatment of bipolar disorder by lithium carbonate combined with olanzapine or lithium. Methods Lipid and body weight was measured in forty-six patients with bipolar disorder in the first six months (treated by lithium carbonate combined with olanzapine) and in the second six months (treated by lithium only). Then the results were compared with the data before the treatment. Results When the first six months was over,the levels of the total cholesterol, triglyceride and apolipoprotein B increased(P＜ 0.05 ) ,and when the second six months was over,the levels of the total cholesterol,triglyceride,low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),and apolipoprotein B increased Significantly (P ＜ 0.05 ). The levels of the total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C were more than the normal level,but apolipoprotein B didn't exceed the normal level. When the first six months was over, the body weight was higher than that before treatment [ (68.70 ± 8.35 ) kg vs. (64.85 ±7.52 ) kg, P ＜ 0.05 ]. When the second six months was over, the body weight [ (71.72 ± 7.96 ) kg ] was higher than that at the end of the first six months (P ＜ 0.05 ). Gender difference showed non-statistical significance.Conclusions The lipid levels and body weight will both increase whether treated with lithium carbonate combined with olanzapine or with lithium only. The lipid level changes apparently in treatment with lithium separately, and the risk of coronary heart disease will increase. Key words: Bipolar disorder;  Drug therapy, combination;  Lithium carbonate;  Dyslipidemias