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Lithium use in octogenarians
Author(s) -
Fahy Sabina,
Lawlor Brian A.
Publication year - 2001
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/gps.452
Subject(s) - tolerability , lithium (medication) , medicine , lithium therapy , thyroid function , diabetes insipidus , cohort , pediatrics , renal function , lithium carbonate , thyroid , bipolar disorder , surgery , adverse effect , ion , physics , quantum mechanics , ionic bonding
Objectives To assess the tolerability and side‐effect profile of lithium use in a group of octogenarians attending a specialized lithium clinic. Methods This is a cross‐sectional study looking at all patients of eighty years and over attending a lithium clinic. Charts were examined to assess renal function, thyroid function and level of side‐effects during their course of lithium treatment in order to assess the tolerability of this medication in octogenarians. Results Twelve patients of 80 years and over (with an average age of 83.6 years) were taking lithium for an average period of 53.7 months. They had a mean serum level of 0.42 mmol/l. No patient had to discontinue lithium therapy because of side‐effects, even though some patients did develop transient abnormalities of renal function. One patient developed diabetes insipidus. One female patient developed hypothyroidism. Conclusions Lithium was well tolerated and was administered safely to this cohort of octogenarians. Monitoring of serum lithium levels and kidney and thyroid function should preferably be done in the setting of a specialized lithium clinic. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.