Lithium point-of-care testing feasibility trial (LiPOC)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Lithium Point-Of-Care testing to improve adherence to monitoring guidelines and quality of maintenance therapy: a randomised feasibility trial (LiPOC).
IRAS ID
354568
Contact name
Rebecca Strawbridge
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
Bipolar disorders are serious mental illnesses with repeated episodes of very high (mania) and very low (depression) mood. Lithium is the most effective treatment but can have serious side effects. People taking lithium therefore need regular blood tests to ensure it is safe. Studies show that only 50% patients receive regular blood tests as recommended. This project will test a new system of lithium testing, called point-of-care. Point-of-care testing allows lithium levels to be measured using finger-prick tests, giving results within minutes instead of weeks. We expect this to be better than the current system, where results are often not communicated to patients or their doctors. Our overall future goal is to see whether this point-of-care testing improves lithium monitoring and therefore better physical and/or mental health. We first need to test whether it is practicable: we will measure whether participants receive testing as recommended, how many participants are recruited and staying in the study and whether the new system is acceptable. We'll also measure medication changes, quality-of-life, and use of healthcare services. The study will take place around London and Newcastle in certain NHS Trusts but all research visits can be done remotely. Fingerprick tests would be done in a usual place of care. 80 adults with bipolar disorder taking lithium will be recruited. After a screening visit to check that they are able and give informed consent to participate, eligible participants will be randomly allocated to receive either point-of-care testing or continue with the usual system of testing over 6 months. Participants will complete questionnaires at months 3 and 6. If point-of-care testing is found to be practical and acceptable, we will conduct a larger study across the UK to establish whether point-of-care testing improves health and whether it is cost-effective. The study is funded by NIHR.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0381
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jun 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion