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The relevance of guidelines for treatment mania in old age
Author(s) -
Snowdon John
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/1099-1166(200009)15:9<779::aid-gps191>3.0.co;2-7
Subject(s) - mania , bipolar disorder , mood , psychiatry , mood stabilizer , lithium (medication) , medicine , psychology
Three sets of guidelines for the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder were reviewed, in order to assess their adequacy in relation to treatment of older persons with mania. One of the three referred to differences encountered when treating elderly people, but none gave adequate attention to age‐related changes in pharmacokinetics and whether it is appropriate to prescribe lithium as a first‐line mood stabiliser for older persons. The guidelines do not give clear guidance on initial management of acutely manic patients who refuse medication. Nor do they give consideration to secondary mania. It is recommended that evidence be gathered in order to develop guidelines specifically for management of mental disorders presenting in old age. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.