Abstract
Background. This analysis was a retrospective chart review evaluating the relationship between outcomes and length of treatment with carbamazepine extended-release capsules (CBZ-ERC) (Shire, Wayne, PA, USA) in bipolar disorder.
Methods. The medical records of adult patients (≥ 18 years) meeting DSM-IV criteria for bipolar disorder who were treated with CBZ-ERC for 30 days or less, 31 to 180 days, and more than 180 days were reviewed in this study.
Results. There were significant differences in mean Clinical Global Impression–Improvement (CGI-I) scores at the best office visit among the three treatment groups. The mean CGI-I scores for the 31- to 180-day (2.3 ± 1.1) and >180-day (1.8 ± 1.0) groups were significantly lower than the mean score for the ≤ 30-day treatment group (p < 0.0001), and the mean CGI-I score for the >180-day group was significantly lower than that of the 31- to 180-day group (p = 0.0027). Significantly fewer patients in the 31- to 180-day (5.4%; p = 0.0039) and >180-day groups reported nausea (4.8%; p = 0.034) when compared to the <30 day group.
Conclusions. The results of this study indicate that future controlled studies are warranted to further explore the safety and efficacy of CBZ-ERC as a long-term therapy for bipolar disorder.
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