Length of Lithium Treatment Needed to Eliminate the High Mortality of Affective Disorders

Recent studies have indicated that long-term lithium treatment reduces the expected suicidal activity & overall mortality of patients with affective disorders. Based on the data of 512 patients from lithium clinics in Berlin & Hamilton, it was found a minimum length of two years of continued lithium treatment is needed to reduce the high mortality resulting from affective disorders. (15 refs.)