Profiles of lithium prescriptions and serum concentrations among patients with bipolar disorder based on latent variable analysis

In this study, lower lithium dosage combined with second-generation antipsychotics is commonly used in the treatment of BD, and lithium prescription patterns fail to follow the guideline recommendations for BD. There are episode-specific factors associated with lithium prescriptions. A non-linear trend in the C/D ratio appears to be one of the factors contributing to lithium delay effects. Adjusting the lithium dosage is a direct way to change its serum concentration.Key PointsLower lithium dosage combined with SGAs is commonly used in the treatment of BD, and lithium prescription patterns fail to follow the guideline recommendations for BD.Factors associated with lithium prescription patterns differed between patients with mania and BD-D.In the context of a standardised lithium dosage (1 g), lithium plasma levels initially decrease before gradually increasing, which appears to be one of the factors contributing to lithium delay effects.