McCreadie R G, Morrison D P
Br J Psychiatry. 1985 Jan;146:70-4. doi: 10.1192/bjp.146.1.70.
A point-prevalence study in South-west Scotland found that 0.77 per 1,000 of the total population were receiving lithium. Almost one quarter had done so for more than ten years. At the time of lithium commencement, only 68% had always been diagnosed as having an affective illness; 59% of the patients were also receiving antidepressants, major tranquillisers, or both. Though this might be due in part to unnecessary administration of supplementary drugs, 19% of non-inpatients had moderate depressive symptoms, significant depressive illness, or manic symptoms. Lithium side-effects were prominent: 30% of the sample complained of weight gain, thirst or excessive micturition; 42% had noticed hair changes; and 7% had diminished thyroid activity, but most patients believed they had benefited considerably from lithium therapy.
苏格兰西南部的一项现患率研究发现，每1000名总人口中有0.77人正在接受锂治疗。近四分之一的人接受该治疗已超过十年。开始使用锂治疗时，只有68%的人一直被诊断为患有情感性疾病；59%的患者还同时接受抗抑郁药、强效安定药或两者兼用。尽管这可能部分归因于辅助药物的不必要使用，但19%的非住院患者有中度抑郁症状、重度抑郁疾病或躁狂症状。锂的副作用很突出：30%的样本抱怨体重增加、口渴或尿频；42%的人注意到头发有变化；7%的人甲状腺活动减弱，但大多数患者认为他们从锂治疗中受益匪浅。
