Korean Medication Algorithm for Bipolar Disorder 2014: Medical Comorbidity / 대한정신약물학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The third revision of Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Bipolar Disorder was performed in 2014 in order to provide more proper guideline for clinicians. In this study, we undertook a survey of expert opinion to help clinical decisions in medical comorbidities. METHODS: The questionnaire to survey the expert opinion of medication for bipolar disorder was completed by the review committee consisting of 64 experienced psychiatrists. This survey was composed of 56 main questionnaires of which the contents covered from overall treatment strategies to treatment strategies under the specific situations. The executive committee analyzed the results and discussed the final production of algorithm. RESULTS: In bipolar patients with cardiovascular, diabetic, or hepatic comorbidities, aripiprazole was first-line treatment strategy. In case of renal comorbidity accompanying bipolar disorder, aripiprazole, valproate, and quetiapine were preferred. Valproate was recommended as the first-line strategy in case of bipolar disorder with cerebrovascular diseases. CONCLUSION: This study provided information about the consensus among experts in regard to treatment strategies for bipolar disorder in the medically ill.