long-term Lithium use tied to higher risk of VTE, Parkinson and kidney diseases

The researchers also mentioned that individuals prescribed lithium have a higher prevalence of venous thromboembolism, Parkinson's disease, and kidney disease.

Katja Ponzer and colleagues from the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery at Karolinska Institute determined whether long-term lithium treatment has protective effects or a higher risk of vascular, neurological, and renal disorders.

The study summary includes the following:

• The researchers identified 9698 cases and matched 96,507 controls (general population).
• The outcomes measured in the study were vascular, neurological, renal, and suicide.
• Lithium users had a higher overall disease burden.
• Those on lithium had a 20 % lower risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders having an HR of 0.80.
• Among lithium users, there was no significant difference for dementia, having an HR of 1.15.
• The lithium-treated patients had a 50 % higher risk of pulmonary embolism than the general population and the psychiatric subcohort, with an HR of 2.86. and 1.68, respectively.
• Parkinson's disease and kidney disease were higher in lithium users.

In Conclusion, individuals prescribed lithium have no marked effect on dementia.

Prescribed lithium has a higher prevalence of Venous thromboembolism, Parkinson's disease, and kidney disease.

This is the first and largest epidemiological studies for determining vascular, neurological and renal disorders due to long-term lithium use.

As acknowledged, the study received funding from

Söderström‐Königska Foundation.

The study's Limitations include Retrospective observational design.

Further reading:

Ponzer K, Millischer V, Schalling M, Gissler M, Lavebratt C, Backlund L. Lithium and risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia and venous thromboembolism. Bipolar Disord. 2023 Jan 18. doi: 10.1111/bdi.13300