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Table 1 Criteria used to diagnose bipolar patients as excellent lithium responders

From: No association between the PREP gene and lithium responsive bipolar disorder

Each patient must meet criteria A, B and C

A.

Diagnosis of primary episodic bipolar disorder based on the SADS-L (lifetime version) interview and Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC).

B.

High Recurrence Risk

either

B1: five or more episodes prior to lithium treatment

or

B2: four episodes prior to lithium; of these two or more during the 2 years preceding lithium treatment

or

B3: three episodes prior to lithium, plus one more within 12 months after lithium discontinuation

C.

Unequivocal Lithium Response

 

C1: No recurrence requiring additional biological intervention (ECT, antidepressants, neuroleptics) during the entire observation time on lithium monotherapy

and

C2: minimum period of observation of 3 years

and

C3: average plasma lithium concentration over 0.6 mEq L-1