Compliance with the guidelines for laboratory monitoring of patients treated with lithium: A retrospective follow-up study among ambulatory patients in the Netherlands

Objectives: Laboratory monitoring of patients using lithium is important to prevent harm and to increase effectiveness. The aim of this study is to determine compliance with the guidelines for laboratory monitoring of patients treated with lithium overall and within subgroups. Methods: Patients having at least one lithium dispensing for 6 months or longer between January 2010 and December 2015 were identified retrospectively using data from the Dutch PHARMO Database Network. Laboratory monitoring was defined as being compliant with the Dutch Multidisciplinary Clinical Guideline Bipolar Disorde... Mehr ...