Transmembrane lithium distribution and hypertension in manic depressive patients.

1. The association of hypertension and depression has long been recognized. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between RBC level/plasma level of lithium (Li), blood pressure (BP) and weight in bipolar affective disorder patients. 2. All patients were evaluated by the same examiner using DSM-III Diagnostic Criteria. Measurement of patients' Li values, BP and weight were carried out on the same day or within 24 hours. 3. We evaluated 103 bipolar patients treated with lithium (mean age: 44 years, mean duration of Li treatment, 6 years). Ten percent of these patients were hypertensive. 4. No significant difference was found between hypertensive (H) and non-hypertensive (NH) patients with respect to their RBC, plasma or RBC/plasma Li ratio. This finding was consistent in patients treated with Li alone or Li combined with other neuroleptics. 5. Our study did not confirm previous findings (McCoy et al, 1982) indicating that there is a correlation between low Li ratio (less than 0.30) and hypertension in bipolar affective disorder patients.