Suicide prevention by lithium SUPLI--challenges of a multi-center prospective study.

Author(s): Lauterbach E, Ahrens B, Felber W, Oerlinghausen BM, Kilb B, Bischof G, Heuser I, Werner P, Hawellek B, Maier W, Lewitzka U, Pogarell O, Hegerl U, Bronisch T, Richter K, Niklewski G, Broocks A, Hohagen F

Affiliation(s): Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Universitatsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany. lauterbach.e@psychiatry.uni-luebeck.de

Publication date & source: 2005, Arch Suicide Res., 9(1):27-34.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

Several studies have shown that there is a significantly increased risk of suicide related mortality in patients with a positive history of suicide attempts. The SUPLI-Study is the first prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled multi-center trial focusing on the proposed suicide preventive effects of lithium in patients with suicidal behavior but not suffering from bipolar disorder or recurrent major depressive disorder. Patients with a recent history of a suicide attempt are treated with lithium versus placebo during a 12 month period. The hypothesis is that lithium treatment will lead to a 50% reduction of suicidal behavior. The protocol of the study and preliminary results are presented.