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Stabilizing the stabilizer: group psychoeducation enhances the stability of serum lithium levels
Author(s) -
Colom F,
Vieta E,
SánchezMoreno J,
MartínezArán A,
Reinares M,
Goikolea JM,
Scott J
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
bipolar disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.285
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1399-5618
pISSN - 1398-5647
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-5618.2005.00249.x
Subject(s) - psychoeducation , lithium (medication) , bipolar disorder , medicine , mood stabilizer , gastroenterology , psychology , psychiatry , intervention (counseling)
Objective: To determine the effect on the serum lithium levels of a psychoeducational program in patients with bipolar disorder. Method: This is a subanalysis of data obtained from a larger study on the efficacy of group psychoeducation in the prophylaxis of recurrences in bipolar disorders. Data on plasma lithium levels were obtained at five time points: baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Serum lithium levels of patients who had received psychoeduction (psychoeducated) (N = 49) and non‐psychoeducated patients (N = 44) were compared. Results: Mean serum lithium levels were significantly higher and more stable for the psychoeducation group. Conclusions: As changes in serum lithium level may be a powerful predictor of recurrence for bipolar patients, the addition of group psychoeducation to standard pharmacological treatment may be beneficial to optimize serum lithium levels and, thereby improve outcome.