Treatment response of lithium augmentation in geriatric compared to non-geriatric patients with treatment-resistant depression

Abstract Background Lithium augmentation (LA) of antidepressants is an effective strategy for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Nevertheless, it is rarely used in geriatric patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate treatment response of LA in geriatric compared to non-geriatric patients. Method In a prospective multicenter cohort study, severity of depression was measured weekly in 167 patients with unipolar depression ( n age≥65years  = 22; n age  = 145) at baseline and over at least four weeks of LA. Results Geriatric patients showed a significantly better response to LA compared to non-geriatric patients (Hazard Ratio = 1.91; p  = 0.04). Limitations An important limitation of our study is the lack of a control group of LA and the missing evaluation of side effects in both groups. Conclusions This is the first study investigating the efficacy of LA for TRD in geriatric compared to non-geriatric patients. Our data suggest that LA is an effective treatment option in geriatric patients that clinicians might consider more frequently and earlier on in the course of treatment.