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Biomedical subjects

M Schou

Publications and source records attributed to M Schou.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

The effect of long-term lithium treatment on the mortality of patients with manic-depressive and schizoaffective illness.

Clinical research centers in Aarhus, Berlin, Hamilton and Vienna collected mortality data for 827 manic-depressive and schizoaffective patients given lithium treatment for more than 6 months. The average duration of the treatment was 81 months and the total time on lithium 5600 patient-years. For each patient, the mortality risk was calculated by entering the appropriate national life tables for the general population. The number of observed deaths was 44; the number of expected deaths was 49.7. The standardized mortality ratio, 0.89, did not differ significantly from 1.0. The mortality of manic-depressive patients is 2-3 times that of the general population. Our data show that the mortality of manic-depressive and schizoaffective patients given long-term lithium treatment does not differ significantly from that of the general population.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Lithium and electroconvulsive therapy: adversaries, competitors, allies?

As treatments for manic-depressive illness, lithium and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) share the properties of efficacy, diagnostic specificity, and action on both mania and depression. Therapeutic and prophylactic similarities and dissimilarities are analyzed, as well as the use of lithium continuation treatment following ECT. Possible adverse interaction is discussed, and a strategy is proposed for studying biologic modes of action.

Bipolar Disorder↗
PubMed1991

Relapse prevention in manic depressive illness: important and unimportant factors.

Many factors play a role in the safe and effective prevention of relapses. These include: selection of patients; organization of treatment; choice of drug; dosage and treatment regimen; clinical and laboratory monitoring; information and instruction given to patients and relatives; and psychotherapeutic and social support. Some of these factors have received much attention in the past, although perhaps not always the most important ones. This paper, a brief refresher course, discusses the priorities and precautions which must be considered when treating patients with manic depressive illnesses.

Bipolar Disorder↗
PubMed1990

[Lithium treatment and kidney function].

Systematic cross-sectional and longitudinal examinations of the kidney function of patients in prophylactic lithium treatment have established that the therapy, even when given for many years, does not affect the glomerular filtration rate or lead to kidney failure. Lithium treatment may induce polyuria and lowered renal concentrating ability, but these side effects do not presage deterioration of the filtration rate, and they are not dangerous if dehydration is avoided. It is now possible to revise and simplify the guidelines for laboratory monitoring of maintenance treatment with lithium.

Bipolar Disorder↗
PubMed1990

Lithium treatment during pregnancy, delivery, and lactation: an update.

Because prophylactic lithium treatment is often given to manic depressive women of fertile age, the answers to five questions are pressing: (1) Does lithium administration during pregnancy expose the unborn child to risk of malformations? (2) Does such exposure lead to later developmental anomalies? (3) Do changes in the pharmacokinetics of lithium during pregnancy and delivery require special precautions? (4) Does lithium treatment during pregnancy exert other effects? (5) Is it advisable that women in lithium treatment breastfeed their infants? The author discusses these questions in the light of present-day knowledge and proposes guidelines for lithium treatment during pregnancy, delivery, and lactation.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1989

[Herpes zoster in immunosuppressed patients with immuno-inflammatory disease].

We analysed 19 episodes of herpes zoster in 16 patients, who received cytotoxic drugs or cyclosporin for immuno-inflammatory disease. Reactivation of varicella-zoster virus was not associated with increased activity of the rheumatic disease nor with increased intensity of immunosuppressive therapy. Six of the patients who had received the largest cumulative doses of cytotoxic drugs had fever and/or vesicles outside the primarily affected dermatome. Two of these patients developed post-herpetic neuralgia. Although not encountered in this material, immunocompromised patients may develop severe complications of herpes zoster, and therefore prompt treatment with acyclovir is recommended in all cases. It is suggested that oral acyclovir therapy is sufficient in uncomplicated cases but this question has not been elucidated in controlled studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Lithium treatment in Aarhus. 1. Prevalence.

The prevalence of lithium treatment in a region with a population of about 372,000 was determined on the basis of information submitted and of blood samples sent to the laboratory of the Psychiatric Hospital in Risskov for serum lithium determination during the years 1986 and 1987. Correction was made for incidence. One in every 689, or about 1.5 in every 1000, persons in the population were receiving lithium treatment at any given time.

Bipolar Disorder↗
PubMed1989

Lithium treatment in Aarhus. 2. Risk of renal failure and of intoxication.

In a region around Aarhus with a population of 372,000 the total exposure time for patients in lithium treatment during the period 1979-1987 was about 4900 patient-years. Lithium intoxication developed in 24 patients. Fifteen intoxications were caused by deliberate self-poisoning and nine by neglect of treatment guidelines; none were caused by a decline of glomerular filtration rate or without discernible cause. Only two out of 234 systematically followed patients showed a consistently falling creatinine clearance; a causal relation to the therapy was doubtful. The authors' data analysis confirms that lithium treatment, even when given for many years, induces neither deterioration of the glomerular filtration rate nor renal failure. The observations further show that lithium intoxications do not develop capriciously; unintended intoxications can be avoided by adherence to treatment guidelines and precautions.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1989

Lithium prophylaxis: myths and realities.

The author examines some widely held views about prophylactic lithium treatment. When seen in relation to the factual evidence concerning lithium, these views require revision because they are wrong or not valid for treatment carried out according to present-day guidelines.

Bipolar Disorder↗
PubMed1988

Lithium in manic-depressive illness: plusses, pitfalls, and perspectives.

Prophylactic lithium treatment of manic-depressive illness offers advantages to patient and family, to society, to the psychiatrist, and to research. The treatment must be administered in accordance with certain guidelines in order to provide maximal efficacy and minimal risk. Research on the mode of action of lithium and its prophylactic alternatives may serve to elucidate metabolic disturbances in the brains of manic-depressive patients. It might also one day reveal biological factors which govern mood, activity and mental speed. Could such knowledge be misused to manipulate mood, one's own or that of others?

Bipolar Disorder↗