Factors Associated With Discontinuation of Long-Term Lithium Treatment

Compared the clinical traits of 64 outpatients (aged 28-71 yrs in 1980) with major affective disorder who discontinued Li treatment for clinical or other reasons during a 7-yr follow-up period. At the end of the follow-up, 61% of the Ss were still on Li, 25% discontinued for clinical reasons (usually side effects) & 14% died. The total number of side effects & number of severe side effects were significantly larger in discontinuers. Causes of death included cardiovascular disease and suicide.