Standards of lithium monitoring in mental health trusts in the UK

BMC Psychiatry

Table 2 Results of prior, published UK audits of lithium monitoring

Study	Number of patient records audited	Mean age: years	% female	% with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder	% meeting standard relating to monitoring lithium level	% meeting standard relating to monitoring renal function	% meeting standard relating to monitoring thyroid function	Standards used in audit
Current study	2,976	55	59	57	30 68	55 81	50 82	NICE QOF
Kehoe & Mander 1992 ⁹ (Edinburgh)	458	56	68	56	< 81	-	-	BNF
*Eagles et al 2000 ¹¹ (Aberdeen)	422 403	- 54	- 63	- -	54 54	71 78	44 55	BNF
Ryman 1997 ³⁴ (Gateshead)	290	56	-	-	69	67	47	BNF
Fielding et al 1999 ¹⁰ (Southampton)	246	79	72	18	84	84	84	BNF
Head 1998) ²³ (Cambridge)	148	65-87	76	56	36	74	80	BNF
+Farooqi et al 2002 ¹³ (Leicestershire)	92 122	- -	- -	- -	43 57	42 62	59 61	BNF
Glover & Lawley 2005 ⁸ (Hull)	?50	-	-	-	52	66	64	BNF

*Comparison of monitoring practice before and after the distribution of monitoring guidelines
+Comparison of monitoring practice before and after the introduction of a local register

ISSN: 1471-244X