Table 1 Meta-analytic findings of studies of lithium versus risk of suicides or attempts: summary

All studies

35

3.77 [2.72–5.24]

 < 0.0001

Outcomes

 Suicides

15

4.03 [2.37–6.85]

 < 0.0001

 Attempts

8

3.73 [1.50–9.33]

 < 0.005

 Both

12

3.66 [2.28–5.87]

 < 0.0001

Diagnoses

 Bipolar

14

3.84 [2.34–6.30]

 < 0.0001

 Major affective

21

3.72 [2.40–5.77]

 < 0.0001

 Major depression

8

4.69 [1.66–13.3]

 < 0.0001

Trial types

 Open

29

3.95 [2.79–5.58]

 < 0.0001

 Randomized, placebo-controlled

6

1.91 [0.89–4.08]

0.096

Comparator type

 vs. placebo or no lithium

27

4.22 [2.91–6.10]

 < 0.0001

 vs. anticonvulsants

8

2.42 [1.15–5.10]

0.02