Suicide Prevention by Lithium - the Lithium Intervention Study

Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the proposed suicide preventive effects of lithium in a randomized controlled trial within a group of individuals with depressive disorders. The hypothesis being tested is that lithium treatment will significantly reduce the risk for another suicide attempt.

Timeline

Start

2001-01

Primary completion

—

Completion

2006-06

Outcome

Outcome not reported

Stopped (Enrollment): “number of enrolled individuals after 5 years still off the estimated sample size”

Publications

• Background Lauterbach E, Ahrens B, Felber W, Oerlinghausen BM, Kilb B, Bischof G, Heuser I, Werner P, Hawellek B, Maier W, Lewitzka U, Pogarell O, Hegerl U, Bronisch T, Richter K, Niklewski G, Broocks A, Hohagen F. Suicide prevention by lithium SUPLI--challenges of a multi-center prospective study. Arch Suicide Res. 2005;9(1):27-34. doi: 10.1080/13811110590512886.
• Background Muller-Oerlinghausen B, Felber W, Berghofer A, Lauterbach E, Ahrens B. The impact of lithium long-term medication on suicidal behavior and mortality of bipolar patients. Arch Suicide Res. 2005;9(3):307-19. doi: 10.1080/13811110590929550.
• Background Muller-Oerlinghausen B, Berghofer A, Ahrens B. The antisuicidal and mortality-reducing effect of lithium prophylaxis: consequences for guidelines in clinical psychiatry. Can J Psychiatry. 2003 Aug;48(7):433-9. doi: 10.1177/070674370304800702.
• Background Ahrens B, Muller-Oerlinghausen B. Does lithium exert an independent antisuicidal effect? Pharmacopsychiatry. 2001 Jul;34(4):132-6. doi: 10.1055/s-2001-15878.

Drugs

Indications