Authors: Burgess S, et al.
Title: Lithium for maintenance treatment of mood disorders.
Reference: Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2001;(2):CD003013. Update: Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2001;3:CD003013.
Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and acceptability of lithium in the prevention of relapse in recurrent mood disorders and the effect in reducing suicide.
Study design: Meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials comparing lithium with placebo for the maintenance or prophylaxis of bipolar disorder.
Follow up: Not applicable.
Patients: In total, 825 patients allocated to lithium or placebo were included.
Treatment: Not applicable.
Results: Lithium is an efficacious maintenance treatment for bipolar disorder. There was not sufficient evidence to draw conclusions on the potential antisuicidal effects of lithium.