Driving ability in bipolar patients receiving lithium or lamotrigine

ObjectivesDriving is a daily activity for most people in developed countries and is important in maintaining independence. Bipolar patients may have an impaired driving behavior because of the pathology itself, with psychomotor and cognitive disturbances. Additionally, adverse effects of pharmacologic treatment may be detrimental.Methods24 remitted bipolar outpatients diagnosed according to ICD-10 criteria were enrolled in the study, receiving either lithium (n = 12) or lamotrigine (n = 12). Participants were investigated under steady state plasma level conditions. According to the German Guidelines for road and traffic safety data were collected with the Wiener Testsystem (WTS) measuring visual perception, reactivity, stress tolerance, concentration and vigilance.Psychopathologic symptoms were rated with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Young Mania Rating Scale - Clinician rated (YMRS-C).ResultsAbout 40% of patients were without clinically relevant psychomotor disturbances. In 40% of cases mild to moderate impairments could be seen, and 20% of the patients were considered as severely impaired. Data show that patients under lamotrigine had an altogether better test performance than patients treated with lithium. Especially in visual perception and stress tolerance differences were most pronounced.ConclusionsAbout 20% of remitted bipolar outpatients treated with lithium or lamotrigine must be considered unfit to drive. In 40% of the cases it seems justified to counsel patients individually, taking into account compensational factors. Analysis of our data point to an advantage for bipolar patients treated with lamotrigine when compared with lithium. However causal relationships can not be drawn from our data.

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Impact of modification to DSM-5 criterion A for hypomania/mania in newly diagnosed bipolar patients: findings from the prospective BIO study

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders ◽

10.1186/s40345-020-00219-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mette U. Fredskild ◽

Sharleny Stanislaus ◽

Klara Coello ◽

Sigurd A. Melbye ◽

Hanne Lie Kjærstad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rating Scale ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Young Mania ◽

Dsm 5 ◽

Criterion A ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Bipolar Type ◽

Dsm Iv ◽

Bipolar Patients

Abstract Background DSM-IV states that criterion A for diagnosing hypomania/mania is mood change. The revised DSM-5 now states that increased energy or activity must be present alongside mood changes to diagnose hypomania/mania, thus raising energy/activity to criterion A. We set out to investigate how the change in criterion A affects the diagnosis of hypomanic/manic visits in patients with a newly diagnosed bipolar disorder. Results In this prospective cohort study, 373 patients were included (median age = 32; IQR, 27–40). Women constituted 66% (n = 245) of the cohort and 68% of the cohort (n = 253) met criteria for bipolar type II, the remaining patients were diagnosed bipolar type I. Median number of contributed visits was 2 per subject (IQR, 1–3) and median follow-up time was 3 years (IQR, 2–4). During follow-up, 127 patients had at least one visit with fulfilled DSM-IV criterion A. Applying DSM-5 criterion A reduced the number of patients experiencing a hypomanic/manic visit by 62% at baseline and by 50% during longitudinal follow-up, compared with DSM-IV criterion A. Fulfilling DSM-5 criterion A during follow-up was associated with higher modified young mania rating scale score (OR = 1.51, CL [1.34, 1.71], p < 0.0001) and increased number of visits contributed (OR = 1.86, CL [1.52, 2.29], p < 0.0001). Conclusion Applying the stricter DSM-5 criterion A in a cohort of newly diagnosed bipolar patients reduced the number of patients experiencing a hypomanic/manic visit substantially, and was associated with higher overall young mania rating scale scores, compared with DSM-IV criterion A. Consequently, fewer hypomanic/manic visits may be detected in newly diagnosed bipolar patients with applied DSM-5 criterion A, and the upcoming ICD-11, which may possibly result in longer diagnostic delay of BD as compared with the DSM-IV.

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Studies of Carbamazepine Extended-Release Capsules in Bipolar Disorder

CNS Spectrums ◽

10.1017/s1092852900023075 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 3-5

Author(s):

Richard H. Weisler

Keyword(s):

Extended Release ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Mixed States ◽

Open Label ◽

Young Mania ◽

Double Blind ◽

Double Blind Placebo ◽

Bipolar Patients

This discussion reviews data from two 3-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled pivotal trials of carbamazepine extended release capsules (CBZ ERC; SPD417.301 and SPD417.304); pooled results from these trials; data from a 3-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in lithium non-responders or non-tolerators (SPD417.302); and additional supportive data from a 6-month, open-label, extension trial (SPD417.303). In addition, information on a retrospective chart review of 600 adolescent and adult bipolar patients on CBZ ERC is presented.In the first large double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessing CBZ ERC in acute mania, manic and mixed bipolar patients from multiple centers were hospitalized and all medications were discontinued. After reaching a stable baseline 2–5 days later, the patients were randomized to CBZ ERC (n=101; 59% with mixed states) or placebo (n=103; 47% with mixed states) for 3 weeks. An aggressive initial titration schedule was implemented, beginning with 200 mg BID and increased by 200 mg/day until good clinical response was achieved or the patient could not tolerate the dosage. Many patients were taking 1,200–1,600 mg/day by the end of week 1. Efficacy was assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). The Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scale and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) were also followed.

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Comparison of efficacy between risperidone and aripiprazole in combination with sodium valproate in patients with acute manic or mixed episodes

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.1390 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S749-S749

Author(s):

N. Amanat ◽

A. Nazeri Astane ◽

B. Dieji ◽

O. Rezaie ◽

A. Biglarian

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Sodium Valproate ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Young Mania ◽

Double Blind ◽

Measurement Evaluation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Competing Interest ◽

Bipolar Patients

Today, despite of the improvement in the psychological therapeutic approach, mania still remains as a challenging problem for health system. The aim of this study is comparison efficacy of risperidone and aripiprazole in combination with sodium valproate in bipolar patients with acute manic or mixed episodes who hospitalized in Razi psychiatric hospital in Tehran. This study was conducted as a double blind randomized clinical trial in two groups of bipolar disorder patients with manic or mixed episodes (18–65 age). Patients randomly set in two groups who received valproate with aripiprazole or risperidone. Clinical response was assessed with young mania rating scale (YMRS) and weight gain at 3 and 6 weeks. Data was analyzed with Chi2 test, paired t-test and analysis of covariance and repeated measurement. Evaluation of treatment response after 3 and 6 weeks (50% reduction in Young's scale) in both groups did not show any significant difference between the two therapeutic combinations. The combination of sodium valproate and risperidone showed higher weight gain in comparison with the combination of valproate and aripiprazole at the end of week 6 (P < 0.001). The mentioned combination in bipolar I disorder with manic or mixed episode has similar therapeutic effect, so that both of them are effective and usable. There was no difference in their efficacy, and both treatments can be used. Due to the less weight gain, the combination of valproate and aripiprazole in patients who prone to weight gain, this approach is recommended as more safe and effective therapy.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Studies of Carbamazepine Extended-Release Capsules in Bipolar Disorder

CNS Spectrums ◽

10.1017/s1092852900024500 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 10 (S1) ◽

pp. 3-5

Author(s):

Richard H. Weisler

Keyword(s):

Extended Release ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Mixed States ◽

Open Label ◽

Young Mania ◽

Double Blind ◽

Double Blind Placebo ◽

Bipolar Patients

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Manic switch in bipolar patients treated with electroconvulsive therapy for treatment-resistant depression: The experience at the mood disorder unit of Milan (Italy)

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.1448 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S768-S768

Author(s):

D. Delmonte ◽

S. Brioschi ◽

B. Barbini ◽

R. Zanardi ◽

C. Colombo

Keyword(s):

Rating Scale ◽

Remission Rate ◽

Antidepressant Treatment ◽

Age At Onset ◽

Antidepressant Drugs ◽

Mood Stabilizers ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Safe Procedure ◽

Young Mania ◽

Bipolar Patients

IntroductionDespite appropriate treatment, 30–40% of depressed patients, both unipolar and bipolar, do not achieve improvement, with high morbidity and mortality. For bipolar patients another risk is the switch into mania due to antidepressant treatment. The concern about the switch, suggests to administer antidepressants at lower doses, in combination with mood stabilizers and second generation anti-psychotics.ObjectivesWe performed an observational study on a sample of 23 bipolar patients treated with ECT for severe TRD in last 3 years, in order to evaluate the risk of switch.MethodsTwenty-three bipolar inpatients, undergoing bitemporal ECT twice/week, with MECTA spectrum device. Main demographic and clinical data collected. Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D). Clinical response defined as 50% reduction of HAM-D score at the endpoint from baseline; remission as HAM-D score at the endpoint < 8. Young Mania rating scale (YMRS) weekly in order to assess switch into mania.ResultsThirteen (56.5%) females, 10 (43.5%) males, mean age 60.1 ± 10.3 years. Mean age at onset 35.5 ± 13.6 years. Mean number of episodes: 7.1 ± 3.6. Mean duration of current episode: 33.4 ± 24.9 weeks. Mean HAM-D basal score: 30.0 ± 5. Each patient underwent a cycle of ECT (mean No. 6.7 ± 3.3). Pharmacological treatment was administered upon clinical need. Response rate 87%, remission rate 43.5%. Three out of 23 (13.04%) patients had transient hypomanic switch, spontaneous recovery within 7 days after the last ECT.ConclusionsOur experience confirms that ECT is a powerful antidepressant, especially in patients with severe long-lasting depression, refractory to treatment. ECT is also a safe procedure: no adverse effects were reported. The manic switch rate is comparable with antidepressant drugs.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Psychosocial functioning impairment in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder II: The role of clinical factors

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.1164 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S333-S333

Author(s):

R.S. Ilhan ◽

V. Senturk-Cankorur

Keyword(s):

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Psychosocial Functioning ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Healthy Individuals ◽

Young Mania ◽

Clinical Variables ◽

Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale ◽

Short Test ◽

Competing Interest ◽

Bipolar Patients

IntroductionGrowing body of evidence have showed that euthymic bipolar patients have poor psychosocial functioning. Most of the studies have focused on the psychosocial functioning in euthymic bipolar disorder (BD)-I patients. On the contrary, there have been limited researches investigating psychosocial functioning in euthymic BD-II patients. Moreover, the factors associated with psychosocial functioning in euthymic patients with BD II have been also understudied.Objectives/aimsAim of our study was to investigate the association between clinical variables and poor psychosocial functioning in euthymic BD-II patients. Hypothesis of this study was that euthymic BD-II patients would have low level of psychosocial functioning compared with healthy individuals.MethodsBD-II (n = 37) and healthy subjects (n = 35) were compared in terms of their psychosocial functioning which were assessed by Functional Assessment Short Test (FAST). The euthymic state was confirmed by low scores both on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Anxiety symptoms were also assessed by Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) in both groups. Clinical variables were taken as independent variables and FAST scores were taken as dependent variable in order to run correlation analysis in BD-II group.ResultsNo socio-demographic differences were found between two groups. Euthymic BD-II patients had significantly higher FAST, HARS, HDRS YMRS scores compared with healthy individuals. Only HDRS scores correlated with FAST scores of BD-II patients.ConclusionsThis study indicated that euthymic BD-II patients had poorer psychosocial functioning. And subclinical depressive symptoms were associated with poor psychosocial functioning.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Normal Metabolic Levels in Prefrontal Cortex in Euthymic Bipolar I Patients with and without Suicide Attempts

Neural Plasticity ◽

10.1155/2015/165180 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Marlos Vasconcelos Rocha ◽

Fabiana Nery-Fernandes ◽

José Luiz Guimarães ◽

Lucas de Castro Quarantini ◽

Irismar Reis de Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Resonance Spectroscopy ◽

Type I ◽

Young Mania ◽

Suicide Attempters ◽

Axis I ◽

Bipolar Patients

Introduction/Objective. Evidence suggests that the prefrontal cortex has been implicated in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BD), but few neurochemical studies have evaluated this region in bipolar patients and there is no information from BD suicide attempters using Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (H+MRS). The objective was to evaluate the metabolic function of the medial orbital frontal cortex in euthymic BD type I suicide and nonsuicide attempters compared to healthy subjects by H+MRS.Methods. 40 euthymic bipolar I outpatients, 19 without and 21 with history of suicide attempt, and 22 healthy subjects were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview with the DSM-IV axis I, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Young Mania Rating Scale, and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 and underwent H+MRS.Results. We did not find any metabolic abnormality in medial orbital frontal regions of suicide and nonsuicide BD patients and BD patients as a group compared to healthy subjects.Conclusions. The combined chronic use of psychotropic drugs with neuroprotective or neurotrophic effects leading to a euthymic state for longer periods of time may improve neurometabolic function, at least measured by H+MRS, even in suicide attempters. Besides, these results may implicate mood dependent alterations in brain metabolic activity. However, more studies with larger sample sizes of this heterogeneous disorder are warranted to clarify these data.

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Normal levels of prepulse inhibition in the euthymic phase of bipolar disorder

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291705005702 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 35 (12) ◽

pp. 1737-1746 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

SUZANNE LUCIA BARRETT ◽

CHRISTOPHER KELLY ◽

DAVID ROBERT WATSON ◽

ROBERT BELL ◽

DAVID JOHN KING

Keyword(s):

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Prepulse Inhibition ◽

Startle Response ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Acoustic Startle ◽

High Risk Group ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽

Young Mania ◽

Stimulus Interval ◽

Bipolar Patients

Background. Deficits in prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response have been suggested as a potentially useful endophenotype for schizophrenia spectrum disorders and may explain certain symptoms and cognitive deficits observed in the psychoses. PPI deficits have also been found in mania, but it remains to be confirmed whether this dysfunction is present in the euthymic phase of bipolar disorder.Method. Twenty-three adult patients with DSM-IV bipolar disorder were compared to 20 controls on tests of acoustic startle reactivity and PPI of the startle response. Sociodemographic and treatment variables were recorded and symptom scores assessed using the Hamilton Depression Inventory and the Young Mania Rating Scale.Results. Overall, the patient and control groups demonstrated similar levels of startle reactivity and PPI, although there was a trend for the inter-stimulus interval to differentially affect levels of PPI in the two groups.Conclusions. In contrast to bipolar patients experiencing a manic episode, general levels of PPI were normal in this euthymic sample. Further studies are required to confirm this finding and to determine the mechanisms by which this potential disruption/normalization occurs. It is suggested that an examination of PPI in a high-risk group is required to fully discount dysfunctional PPI as a potentially useful endophenotype for bipolar disorder.

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Validation of the prospective NIMH-Life-Chart Method (NIMH-LCMTM-p) for longitudinal assessment of bipolar illness

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291799002810 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 30 (6) ◽

pp. 1391-1397 ◽

Cited By ~ 107

Author(s):

K. D. DENICOFF ◽

G. S. LEVERICH ◽

W. A. NOLEN ◽

A. J. RUSH ◽

S. L. McELROY ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rating Scale ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Severity Of Illness ◽

Preliminary Evidence ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Longitudinal Assessment ◽

Young Mania ◽

Course Of Illness ◽

Bipolar Patients

Background. Systematic and accurate depiction of a patient's course of illness is crucial for assessing the efficacy of maintenance treatments for bipolar disorder. This need to rate the long-term prospective course of illness led to the development of the National Institute of Mental Health prospective Life Chart Methodology (NIMH-LCMTM-p or LCM). The NIMH-LCMTM-p allows for the daily assessment of mood and episode severity based on the degree of mood associated functional impairment. We have previously presented preliminary evidence of the reliability and validity of the LCM, and its utility in clinical trials. This study is a further and more extensive validation of the clinician rated NIMH-LCMTM-p.Methods. Subjects included 270 bipolar patients from the five sites participating in the Stanley Foundation Bipolar Network. Daily prospective LCM ratings on the clinician form were initiated upon entry, in addition to at least monthly ratings with the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-clinician rated (IDS-C), the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). We correlated appropriate measures and time domains of the LCM with the IDS-C, YMRS and GAF.Results. Severity of depression on the LCM and on the IDS-C were highly correlated in 270 patients (r = −0·785, P < 0·001). Similarly, a strong correlation was found between LCM mania and the YMRS (r = 0·656, P < 0·001) and between the LCM average severity of illness and the GAF (r = −0·732, P < 0·001).Conclusions. These data further demonstrate the validity and potential utility of the NIMH- LCMTM-p for the detailed daily longitudinal assessment of manic and depressive severity and course, and response to treatment.

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Euthymia is not always euthymia: Clinical status of bipolar patients after 6 months of clinical remission

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.168 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S125-S125 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

L. Samalin ◽

I. De chazeron ◽

M. Reinares ◽

C. Torrent ◽

C.D.M. Bonnin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multivariate Analysis ◽

Clinical Remission ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Bipolar Depression ◽

Clinical Status ◽

Young Mania ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Residual Symptoms ◽

Bipolar Patients

IntroductionMost studies selected euthymic patients with bipolar disorder in inter-episodic phase according to clinical remission criteria at least between 1 and 6 months. However, possible differences can exist in the course of clinical symptoms in bipolar patients related to the duration of clinical remission.ObjectivesThe main aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical status of bipolar patients after 6 months of clinical remission.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study of bipolar outpatients in clinical remission for at least 6 months. Bipolar Depression Rating Scale (BDRS), Young Mania Rating scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale, Visual Analogic Scales (VAS) evaluated cognitive impairment were used to assess residual symptomatology of patients. Multivariate analysis (MANCOVA) was conducted for analysing possible differences between 3 groups of patients according to their duration of clinical remission (< 6 months–1 year, < 1 year–3 years, < 3 years–5 years).ResultsA total of 525 patients were included into the study. The multivariate analysis indicated a significant effect of the duration of clinical remission on the different residual symptoms (Pillai's trace: F 4.48, P < 0.001). The duration of clinical remission was associated with the significant improvement of the BDRS total score (P = 0.013), the PSQI total score (P < 0.001) and the cognitive VAS total score (P < 0.001)ConclusionThese results support a possible improvement of residual symptoms according to the duration of clinical remission in bipolar patients. Any definition of euthymia should specify the duration criteria.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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