[A 15 years' follow-up of use of lithium at the Department of Psychiatry of Marseille University. Data concerning the follow-up of 205 patients].

The authors report descriptive data from a follow-up study of 205 patients taking lithium therapy and treated at the Department of Psychiatry (Marseille, France), during a 15 years period (1972-1987). Methods of investigation consisted in a detailed examination of their hospital and clinic case notes and in medical interviews of psychiatrists in charge of patients. 25 features have been selected in order to precise clinical and biological characteristics of patients: Diagnosis (INSERM, ICD9), family history of psychiatric disorders, illness course, salt used, serum and erythrocytes lithium levels, dose maintenance, additional medications, psychological and physical side effects, compliance with medication and clinical response.