Rate of Serum Valproate Concentration Monitoring in Patients with Bipolar Disorder Type I at Srinagarind Hospital Outpatient Clinic.

Objective: Determine in the out-patient setting the rate and the purpose of serum valproate concentration monitoring during treatment with valproate, either single valproate or valproate in combination with other psychotropics in patients with bipolar disorder type I (BD-I), to determine the rate of recording valproate associated adverse effects, the rate of the follow-up and the length (days) that the patients were in the condition of full remission/recovery and symptomatic.

Material And Method: The present study was a retrospective descriptive study done between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2008. The data were from the medical records of DSM-IV-TR BD-I out-patients at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen who were treated either by single valproate or valproate in combination with other drugs for at least six weeks long.