J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2022 Aug;61(3):214-223. 10.4306/jknpa.2022.61.3.214.

Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Bipolar Disorder 2022: Maintenance Therapy

• Lee JG
• Bahk WM
• Woo YS
• Jeong JH
• Seo JS
• Choo IH
• Yang CM
• Kim W
• Shim SH
• Jung MH
• Jon DI
• Park SY
• Sohn I
• Kim MD
• Yoon BH

• KMID: 2532703
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2022.61.3.214

Abstract

Objectives
In this study, we investigated and organized the maintenance-treatment strategies for Bipolar I and II disorders outlined in The Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Bipolar disorder 2022 (KMAP-BP 2022).
Methods
The questionnaire sought to survey expert opinion on medication for bipolar disorders and was completed by a review committee consisting of 87 experienced Korean psychiatrists. It comprised 56 questions, and each question included various sub-items. The questionnaire for the maintenance treatments covered overall treatment strategies after acute mood episodes in bipolar I and II disorders, the choice of mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics and antidepressants, duration of medication, and treatment strategies for breakthrough symptoms.
Results
In the case of bipolar I disorder, mood stabilizer monotherapy, atypical antipsychotics monotherapy, and a combination of mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics were selected as the first-line treatments. In maintenance management of bipolar II disorder, mood stabilizer monotherapy, atypical antipsychotics monotherapy, and combinations of mood stabilizers were selected as the preferred first-line treatments.
Conclusion
There has been a growing body of evidence that atypical antipsychotics have a greater preference than observed in the previous KMAP-BP of 2018. Also, monotherapy of mood stabilizers or atypical antipsychotics was more frequently selected in KMAP-BP 2022 than in the KMAP-BP 2018.

Keyword

Bipolar disorder; KMAP-BP 2022; Maintenance therapy