Suicide Prevention by Lithium - the Lithium Intervention Study (SUPLI)

University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH)

Status

Terminated

Conditions

Depressive Disorders

Suicide

Treatments

Drug: placebo

Drug: lithium

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Industry

Identifiers

NCT00520026

FKZ 01 GI9920 / 01 GI0220

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to examine the proposed suicide preventive effects of lithium in a randomized controlled trial within a group of individuals with depressive disorders. The hypothesis being tested is that lithium treatment will significantly reduce the risk for another suicide attempt.

Full description

Several studies have shown that there is a significantly increased risk of suicide related mortality in patients with a positive history of suicide attempts. This study is the first prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled multi-center trial focussing 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 or placebo during a 12 month-period. The hypothesis is that lithium treatment will lead to a 50 % reduction of suicidal behavior.

Enrollment

167 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

suicide attempt within 3 months prior to the first drug administration
occurrence of suicide attempt within the context of an affective spectrum disorder
minimum age of 18 years
ability to complete screening and baseline assessment
ability to understand and provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

diagnosis of schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, substance related disorders
indication for long-term lithium treatment
thyroid disease
pregnancy and lactation