The impact of lithium in South-west Scotland. II. A longitudinal study.

In a longitudinal study in South-west Scotland of patients suffering mainly from affective illness, the introduction of lithium as prophylactic therapy was associated with a significant reduction in the number and length of hospital in-patient admissions, as well as in the number of courses and total number of electro-convulsive treatments. However, there was no significant reduction in the length of time patients received either antidepressants or major tranquillisers. A rating of individual patients suggested that a bare majority (52%) had improved considerably following the introduction of lithium.