Managing the risk of lithium-induced nephropathy in the long-term treatment of patients with recurrent affective disorders

Emanuel Severus,Michael Bauer

doi:10.1186/1741-7015-11-34

Emanuel Severus, Michael Bauer

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https://doi.org/10.1186/1741-7015-11-34

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Journal: BMC Medicine	Publication Date: Feb 11, 2013
Citations: 21	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden

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Lithium has been the most effective psychopharmacological drug in the long-term treatment of patients with recurrent unipolar and bipolar affective illness. As a result of its widespread and longtime use in patients with recurrent affective disorders, psychiatrists have become increasingly aware of the whole spectrum of lithium's potential side effects. One of the side effects associated with its chronic use is lithium-induced nephropathy. In a recent cross-sectional study published in BMC Medicine, Alberto Bocchetta et al. add further information to this topic, demonstrating that duration of lithium treatment is associated with impaired glomerular function in patients with recurrent or chronic affective disorders. The present paper will discuss the implications of this and other related recent research on our management of patients with recurrent affective disorders. In this context the importance of shared decision making and close monitoring of kidney function is highlighted, including the regular assessment of the glomerular filtration rate, to provide best possible care to our patients maintained on lithium treatment.See related research article here http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/11/33

Highlights

For the last few decades lithium has been the most effective psychopharmacological drug in the long-term treatment of patients with recurrent unipolar and bipolar affective illness [1]
One of the side effects associated with its chronic use is lithium-induced nephropathy, which may manifest itself as end-stage renal disease, in need of either dialysis or kidney transplantation [2]
In a recent cross-sectional study published in BMC Medicine, Alberto Bocchetta et al add further information on this topic, demonstrating that the duration of lithium treatment is associated with impaired glomerular function in patients with recurrent or chronic affective disorders [3]

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Introduction

For the last few decades lithium has been the most effective psychopharmacological drug in the long-term treatment of patients with recurrent unipolar and bipolar affective illness [1]. Background For the last few decades lithium has been the most effective psychopharmacological drug in the long-term treatment of patients with recurrent unipolar and bipolar affective illness [1].

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