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F M Bekker

Publications and source records attributed to F M Bekker.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

[Lithium in the treatment of depressed elderly patients].

In the geriatric department of a Dutch psychiatric hospital the charts of 65 patients treated with lithium for depression were reviewed. We assessed efficacy and adverse effects. The sample included 65 patients, 12 men and 53 women, mean age 77 (64-91) years. A complete or partial response was seen in 30 out of 43 patients (70%) treated with lithium in addition to a cyclic antidepressant. Six out of 22 patients treated with lithium as a sole antidepressant responded completely or partially. During lithium therapy 16 patients suffered from severe adverse effects. In our view and in spite of severe adverse effects, with expert monitoring lithium can be of value in the treatment of (very) old and depressed patients.

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PubMed1990

Lithium augmentation in geriatric depression.

In the geriatric department of a Dutch psychiatric hospital the charts of 51 patients treated with lithium in addition to cyclic antidepressants were reviewed. A response was seen in 33 patients (65%). For patients with recurrent depressive episodes, a statistical trend was found towards more responders with more complete responses, compared to patients with first depressive episodes. During lithium augmentation, 10 patients suffered from severe adverse effects 12 times. In spite of adverse effects, with expert monitoring lithium augmentation can, in our opinion, be of value in the treatment of older depressed patients.

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