King's College London

The goal of this study is to find out whether a simple fingerprick blood test can make lithium monitoring safer, quicker, and more convenient than standard blood tests for people with depression or bipolar disorder who are taking lithium. We want to know if this approach is practical to use, well received by to patients and clinicians and helps improve adherence to monitoring guidelines.

People with depression or bipolar disorder who are taking lithium will be invited to take part. They will be randomly assigned to either continue their usual blood monitoring or to use a fingerprick test that provides results within minutes, over a six month-period.

Study visit includes:

• Baseline, three months, and six months, each lasting about an hour
• Participants will complete questionnaires on mood, health and lithium treatment.
• With consent, researchers will also review routine tests results (lithium, thyroid function, sodium, calcium and creatinine levels),
• Participants will receive £20 per visit plus travel expenses.

If the study is proven feasible, point-of-care lithium testing could:

• Improve how often and how accurately patients' lithium level are monitored.
• Make monitoring more convenient and less burdensome.
• Help patients feel more involved in their care.
• Reduce delays in clinical decision-making and improve treatment safety.
• Provide evidence to support larger nation trial across the UK.