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Jairaj C, Seneviratne G, Bergink V, Sommer IE, Dazzan P. Postpartum Psychosis: A Proposed Treatment Algorithm. FOCUS (AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC PUBLISHING) 2024; 22:131-142. [PMID: 38694161 PMCID: PMC11058922 DOI: 10.1176/appi.focus.23021033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Background Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a psychiatric emergency that generally warrants acute inpatient care. PPP is marked by the sudden onset of affective and psychotic symptoms with a rapid deterioration in mental state. Evidence suggests that PPP is a discrete disorder on the bipolar disorder spectrum with a distinct treatment profile and prognosis. Methods We conducted a PubMed database search for various terms involving PPP and its treatment and included peer-reviewed articles published in English. Objective To provide a treatment algorithm for the management of PPP based on available evidence. Results Pharmacological therapy is the mainstay of PPP management in the acute phase. Evidence points to a combination of antipsychotics and lithium in the acute treatment of PPP. Electroconvulsive therapy can offer a rapid treatment response where required. Lithium appears to have the best evidence for relapse prevention and prophylaxis in PPP. Psychoeducation is essential and psychosocial interventions used in bipolar disorder may be effective in PPP. Conclusion Early detection and prompt treatment with antipsychotics and lithium, followed by maintenance treatment with lithium, is associated with a favourable prognosis in PPP.Reprinted from J Psychopharmacol 2023; 37:960-970, with permission from Sage Journals. Copyright © 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaitra Jairaj
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK (Jairaj, Seneviratne); Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland (Jairaj); National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland (Jairaj); Royal College of Psychiatrists, London, UK (Seneviratne); Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA (Bergink); Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA (Bergink); Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Bergink); Department of Psychiatry, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG), University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands (Sommer); Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (Dazzan); National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK (Dazzan)
| | - Gertrude Seneviratne
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK (Jairaj, Seneviratne); Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland (Jairaj); National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland (Jairaj); Royal College of Psychiatrists, London, UK (Seneviratne); Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA (Bergink); Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA (Bergink); Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Bergink); Department of Psychiatry, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG), University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands (Sommer); Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (Dazzan); National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK (Dazzan)
| | - Veerle Bergink
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK (Jairaj, Seneviratne); Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland (Jairaj); National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland (Jairaj); Royal College of Psychiatrists, London, UK (Seneviratne); Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA (Bergink); Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA (Bergink); Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Bergink); Department of Psychiatry, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG), University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands (Sommer); Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (Dazzan); National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK (Dazzan)
| | - Iris E Sommer
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK (Jairaj, Seneviratne); Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland (Jairaj); National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland (Jairaj); Royal College of Psychiatrists, London, UK (Seneviratne); Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA (Bergink); Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA (Bergink); Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Bergink); Department of Psychiatry, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG), University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands (Sommer); Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (Dazzan); National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK (Dazzan)
| | - Paola Dazzan
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK (Jairaj, Seneviratne); Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland (Jairaj); National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland (Jairaj); Royal College of Psychiatrists, London, UK (Seneviratne); Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA (Bergink); Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA (Bergink); Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Bergink); Department of Psychiatry, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG), University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands (Sommer); Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK (Dazzan); National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK (Dazzan)
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Fiorillo A, Sampogna G, Albert U, Maina G, Perugi G, Pompili M, Rosso G, Sani G, Tortorella A. Facts and myths about the use of lithium for bipolar disorder in routine clinical practice: an expert consensus paper. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2023; 22:50. [PMID: 38057894 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-023-00481-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bipolar disorder is one of the most burdensome severe mental disorders, characterized by high levels of personal and social disability. Patients often need an integrated pharmacological and non-pharmacological approach. Lithium is one of the most effective treatments available not only in psychiatry, but in the whole medicine, and its clinical efficacy is superior to that of other mood stabilizers. However, a declining trend on lithium prescriptions has been observed worldwide in the last 20 years, supporting the notion that lithium is a 'forgotten drug' and highlighting that the majority of patients with bipolar disorder are missing out the best available pharmacological option. Based on such premises, a narrative review has been carried out on the most common "misconceptions" and "stereotypes" associated with lithium treatment; we also provide a list of "good reasons" for using lithium in ordinary clinical practice to overcome those false myths. MAIN TEXT A narrative search of the available literature has been performed entering the following keywords: "bipolar disorder", "lithium", "myth", "mythology", "pharmacological treatment", and "misunderstanding". The most common false myths have been critically revised and the following statements have been proposed: (1) Lithium should represent the first choice for the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder; (2) lithium treatment is effective in different patients' groups suffering from bipolar disorder; (3) Drug-drug interaction risk can be easily managed during lithium treatment; (4) The optimal management of lithium treatment includes periodical laboratory tests; (5) Slow-release lithium formulation has advantages compared to immediate release formulation; (6) Lithium treatment has antisuicidal properties; (7) Lithium can be carefully managed during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS In recent years, a discrepancy between evidence-based recommendations and clinical practice in using lithium treatment for patients with bipolar disorder has been highlighted. It is time to disseminate clear and unbiased information on the clinical efficacy, effectiveness, tolerability and easiness to use of lithium treatment in patients with bipolar disorder. It is necessary to reinvigorate the clinical and academic discussion about the efficacy of lithium, to counteract the decreasing prescription trend of one of the most effective drugs available in the whole medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Fiorillo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Largo Madonna delle Grazie, Naples, Italy
| | - Gaia Sampogna
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Largo Madonna delle Grazie, Naples, Italy.
| | - Umberto Albert
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maina
- San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulio Perugi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pompili
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Suicide Prevention Center, Sant'Andrea Hospital - Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Rosso
- San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Gabriele Sani
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a psychiatric emergency that generally warrants acute inpatient care. PPP is marked by the sudden onset of affective and psychotic symptoms with a rapid deterioration in mental state. Evidence suggests that PPP is a discrete disorder on the bipolar disorder spectrum with a distinct treatment profile and prognosis. METHODS We conducted a PubMed database search for various terms involving PPP and its treatment and included peer-reviewed articles published in English. OBJECTIVE To provide a treatment algorithm for the management of PPP based on available evidence. RESULTS Pharmacological therapy is the mainstay of PPP management in the acute phase. Evidence points to a combination of antipsychotics and lithium in the acute treatment of PPP. Electroconvulsive therapy can offer a rapid treatment response where required. Lithium appears to have the best evidence for relapse prevention and prophylaxis in PPP. Psychoeducation is essential and psychosocial interventions used in bipolar disorder may be effective in PPP. CONCLUSION Early detection and prompt treatment with antipsychotics and lithium, followed by maintenance treatment with lithium, is associated with a favourable prognosis in PPP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaitra Jairaj
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gertrude Seneviratne
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Royal College of Psychiatrists, London, UK
| | - Veerle Bergink
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Iris E Sommer
- Department of Psychiatry, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG), University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Paola Dazzan
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London, UK
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Gehrmann A, Fiedler K, Leutritz AL, Koreny C, Kittel-Schneider S. Lithium Medication in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding-A Case Series. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 57:medicina57060634. [PMID: 34207460 PMCID: PMC8234397 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57060634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Lithium salts are the first-line prophylaxis treatment for bipolar disorder in most guidelines. The majority of bipolar women are treated with mood stabilizers at the time they wish to get pregnant. One reason for this is the rising average age at first childbirth, at least in the high-income countries, which increases in general the likelihood of a medication with psychotropic drugs. Previously, lithium exposition during pregnancy was thought to strongly increase the risk of severe cardiac malformation. However, recent studies only point to a low teratogenic risk, so nowadays an increasing number of women are getting pregnant with ongoing lithium treatment. Regarding lithium medication during breastfeeding, there is evidence that lithium transfers to the breastmilk and can also be detected in the infants’ serum. The influence on the infant is still a largely understudied topic. Regular monitoring of the infants’ renal clearance, thyroid function, and lithium levels is warranted when breastfeeding under lithium exposure. In this case series, we present three case reports of bipolar mothers who were treated with lithium during pregnancy and breastfeeding to add to the scarce literature on this important topic. In short, we strengthen the importance of therapeutic drug monitoring due to fluctuating plasma levels during pregnancy and after birth, and we can report the birth and development of three healthy infants despite lithium medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gehrmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany; (A.G.); (A.L.L.); (C.K.)
| | - Katrin Fiedler
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital, Goethe-University, D-60528 Frankfurt, Germany;
| | - Anna Linda Leutritz
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany; (A.G.); (A.L.L.); (C.K.)
| | - Carolin Koreny
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany; (A.G.); (A.L.L.); (C.K.)
| | - Sarah Kittel-Schneider
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany; (A.G.); (A.L.L.); (C.K.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital, Goethe-University, D-60528 Frankfurt, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-931-201-77100
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Volkmann C, Bschor T, Köhler S. Lithium Treatment Over the Lifespan in Bipolar Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:377. [PMID: 32457664 PMCID: PMC7221175 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lithium has been the treatment of choice for patients with bipolar disorder (BD) for nearly 70 years. It is recommended by all relevant guidelines as a first-line treatment for maintenance therapy. In this review, we outline the current state of evidence for lithium in the treatment of BD over the lifespan. First, we summarize the evidence on efficacy in general, from relapse prevention to acute anti-manic treatment and its role in treating mood episodes with mixed features and bipolar depression. As patients are often treated for many years and different aspects have to be considered in different phases of life, we discuss the particularities of lithium in the treatment of paediatric BD, in older aged individuals and in pregnant women. Lastly, we discuss the evidence on lithium's proposed suicide-preventive effects, the dangers of rapid discontinuation and lithium's adverse effects, particularly with regard to long-term treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantin Volkmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tom Bschor
- Department of Psychiatry, Schlosspark Hospital Berlin, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stephan Köhler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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