Acute effects of lithium augmentation on the kidney in geriatric compared with non‐geriatric patients with treatment‐resistant depression

Introduction Lithium augmentation (LA) of antidepressants is a first‐line therapy option for treatment‐resistant depression (TRD). Nevertheless, it is rarely used in geriatric patients mostly because of the fear of kidney toxicity. The purpose of this study is to investigate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) changes and number of acute kidney injuries (AKI) using LA in geriatric compared with non‐geriatric patients. Methods In a prospective multicenter cohort study, eGFR changes were measured in 201 patients with unipolar depression (nage≥65years = 29; nage0.8 mmol/L. Conclusion This is the first study investigating eGFR change and AKI upon LA for TRD in geriatric compared with non‐geriatric patients. Our data suggest that LA, as an effective treatment option in geriatric patients, should be closely monitored to avoid AKIs.