To assess presence of suicidal thoughts and attempts in inpatients with BD and follow-up changes of treatment with lithium over the period of time.
It was retrospective survey of in-patient's files hospitalized at the 1st Dept. of Psychiatry, UPJS, Kosice (1997-2007) with typical limitations for retrospective case survey. All patients had diagnosis of BD (DSM-IV), n=125 (67 % of women and 33 % of men). We discovered changes in suicidal behaviour with/without treatment of lithium.
The first episode was depressive in 62 % of patients, average number of episodes: 8,2. There was trend of decrease in use of lithium over the time (68 % vs 84 % in men, 29 % vs 60 % in women). The suicidal thoughts were more frequent during depressive episode (in 50 % of women and 18 % of men). Suicidal thoughts and attempts were 3 times more frequent in women vs men with BD. Suicidal attempts were 4 times more frequent in women with treatment with lithium vs without lithium.