Assessment of lithium-related knowledge and attitudes among patients with bipolar disorder on long-term lithium maintenance treatment

Background Lithium has been widely used to treat bipolar disorder (BD), although its adherence is rarely reported in China. This study aimed to explore the rate of lithium adherence and its associated factors in patients with BD, which has rarely been reported in China. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among patients in Shenzhen Mental Health Center (Shenzhen Kangning Hospital), who were aged 12 years or above, were diagnosed with BD based on the International Classification of Diseases, tenth edition (ICD-10), and had been on lithium for at least 1 month. We collected information on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and on knowledge about and attitudes toward lithium. We also investigated patients’ concerns while taking lithium and where they can and wish to obtain information on lithium. Results Of the 244 enrolled patients and 221 patients aged 18 years or older, 52% and 50% disclosed low adherence to lithium, respectively. Factors associated with poor lithium adherence were a younger age (odds ratio (OR): 0.962, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.933–0.992), female sex (OR: 2.171, 95% CI: 1.146–4.112), and no hospitalization history (OR: 0.389, 95% CI: 0.217–0.689) for the full sample, and more years of education (OR: 4.086, 95% CI: 1.397–11.946) and fewer hospitalizations (OR: 0.615, 95% CI: 0.467–0.809) for patients aged 18 years or older. Less knowledge of periodic tests conducted during lithium treatment played a critical role in low lithium adherence (regression analysis of the full sample: OR: 0.642, 95% CI: 0.532–0.775, regression analysis of subgroups: OR: 0.609, 95% CI: 0.500–0.742). The treatment duration was a major concern among patients on lithium, and patients preferred obtaining lithium-associated information through health services and WeChat. Conclusion The rate of lithium adherence was low in this study. Psychoeducation to increase lithium compliance should mainly focus on patients who are young and provide thorough background information on lithium. Health services should actively provide lithium-associated information. A greater need for medication information based on WeChat was observed, implying its potential role in adherence-related psychoeducation.

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Research on clinical aspects of bipolar disorder: A review of Indian studies

Narula,

Pal,

Reddy

et al. 2024

Indian Journal of Psychiatry

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Background: Bipolar disorder is one of the severe mental disorders that are associated with significant morbidity of the patients. Despite advancements in our understanding about the disorder, it remains a challenging proposition to treat bipolar disorder, largely since the prophylactic treatment of the disorder requires assessment of complex clinical algorithms. The revisions of the classificatory systems have also changed the conceptualization of the disorder. In this background, we conducted a review of the Indian studies conducted on the clinical aspects of bipolar disorder. Methods: A narrative review was conducted with focus on the literature published from India. The databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, and articles published over the last 15 years by Indian authors were included for this review. Results: In our review, we could access a substantial volume of research published from India. We could identify studies that catered to most of the relevant themes in bipolar disorder including epidemiology, etiology, comorbidities, stigma, disability, clinical course, cognitive profile, pathways to care, and recovery. Conclusion: The research trajectory was in line with the research conducted elsewhere in the world. However, certain dissimilarities in terms of focus could also be observed. The possible reason behind this deviation could be the difference in clinical need and unique challenges faced in the management and rehabilitation of patients in bipolar disorder in Indian scenario.

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Assessment of lithium-related knowledge and attitudes among patients with bipolar disorder on long-term lithium maintenance treatment

Cited by 3 publications

References 16 publications

Practices, knowledge, and attitudes about lithium treatment: Results of online surveys completed by clinicians and lithium-treated patients

Practices, knowledge, and attitudes about lithium treatment: Results of online surveys completed by clinicians and lithium-treated patients

Self-Reported Low Lithium Adherence Among Chinese Patients with Bipolar Disorder in Shenzhen: A Cross-Sectional Study

Research on clinical aspects of bipolar disorder: A review of Indian studies

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