IntroductionBipolar disorder (BD) is related to high prevalence of somatic comorbidities, health care costs, and premature mortality [1]. Some evidence supports the view of BD as chronic, progressive and multisystem disorder in which not only mental system, but also somatic systems are involved [2].AimTo investigate differences in physical health in patients with bipolar disorder at different stages (early vs. late) of the disease.MethodsCross-sectional, naturalistic, multicenter study. Sample: 110 outpatients with BD [68 early stage (diagnosed at least 5 years earlier) and 42 late stage (at least 20 years earlier)]. Assessment: demographic and clinical variables; psychopathology: HDRS, YMRS and CGI; biological information: anthropometric, vital signs and lab results.ResultsEarly stage group: mean age 40.1 (11.9), 66.2% females and CGI = 3.6 (1.4). Late stage group: mean age 55.8 (8.2), 69.0% females and CGI = 4.0 (1.4). Patients in early stage have significantly higher levels of glucose (t = −4.007, P < 0.001), urea (t = −2.724, P = 0.008), creatinine (F = 0.560, P = 0.022), triglycerides (t = −3.501, P = 0.001), Fe (t = 2.871, P = 0.005) and insulin (t = −3.223, P = 0.002). Moreover, they have higher Body Max Index (BMI) (t = −3.728, P < 0.000), abdominal circumference (t = −4.040, P < 0.000) and greater number of somatic comorbidities (t = −2.101, P = 0.041).Conclusions– patients with bipolar disorders in late stages have worse physical health than those in early stage.– these results could be an indication that bipolar disorder might better viewed as a multisystem disorder.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Physical Health in Older Adults with Bipolar Disorder, a report from the OABD task force Chair: Martha Sajatovic, Annemiek Dols
