Latent subtypes of manic and/or irritable episode symptoms in two population-based cohorts

Background Mood disorders are characterised by pronounced symptom heterogeneity, which presents a substantial challenge both to clinical practice and research. Identification of subgroups of individuals with homogeneous symptom profiles that cut across current diagnostic categories could provide insights in to the transdiagnostic relevance of individual symptoms, which current categorical diagnostic systems cannot impart. Aims To identify groups of people with homogeneous clinical characteristics, using symptoms of manic and/or irritable mood, and explore differences between groups in diagnoses, functional outcomes and genetic liability. Method We used latent class analysis on eight binary self-reported symptoms of manic and irritable mood in the UK Biobank and PROTECT studies, to investigate how individuals formed latent subgroups. We tested associations between the latent classes and diagnoses of psychiatric disorders, sociodemographic characteristics and polygenic risk scores. Results Five latent classes were derived in UK Biobank (N = 42 183) and were replicated in the independent PROTECT cohort (N = 4445), including ‘minimally affected’, ‘inactive restless’, active restless’, ‘focused creative’ and ‘extensively affected’ individuals. These classes differed in disorder risk, polygenic risk score and functional outcomes. One class that experienced disruptive episodes of mostly irritable mood largely comprised cases of depression/anxiety, and a class of individuals with increased confidence/creativity reported comparatively lower disruptiveness and functional impairment. Conclusions Findings suggest that data-driven investigations of psychopathological symptoms that include sub-diagnostic threshold conditions can complement research of clinical diagnoses. Improved classification systems of psychopathology could investigate a weighted approach to symptoms, toward a more dimensional classification of mood disorders.

Risperidone induced pancytopenia: a case report

There are several case reports on hematological side effects after using antipsychotics in the literature. This case report could be the first case report of pancytopenia where laboratory work showed thrombocytopenia, lymphocytopenia, and neutropenia after using risperidone. It is about 14-year-old female presented with irritable mood and aggression started on Risperidone 0.75 mg every night. A few weeks later she developed frequent and recurrent urinary tract infections and heavy vaginal bleeding that lasted for 5 days and reoccurred twice in the same month. Patient was admitted to internal medicine ward to investigate the cause of bleeding. No signs of splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, or lymph node enlargement were observed. All immunological workup results were negative. Bone morrow showed normal cellularity with granulocytic hyperplasia, suggesting a peripheral cause that was most likely a drug-induced effect. A provisional diagnosis of drug-induced pancytopenia was established. These hematological side effects may make physician to be more careful while prescribing risperidone and to follow the guideline of regular lab work especially CBC.

A rare case: Mania associated with pazopanib

Mania typically presents with a well-denoted period of abnormal and persistently elevated or irritable mood, and increased activity or energy almost daily for at least a week. This mood disturbance is usually functionally dilapidating in aspects of social or occupational functioning, sometimes even requiring hospitalisation to prevent harm to self or others. We report an interesting case of first presentation of mania in a 61-year-old female with ongoing metastatic sarcoma, with a potential association with a chemotherapy drug – pazopanib.

An episode of giddy, irritable mood with increased energy and goal-directed activity

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by episodes of mania or hypomania and major depressive episodes. The diagnostic criteria for mania require the presence of distinct periods of abnormal mood characterized by euphoria, expansiveness, or irritability. The change in mood is accompanied by increased activity or energy as well as other symptoms such as grandiosity, decreased sleep, increased speech, flight of ideas, distractibility, agitation, and increased involvement in risky behaviors. The assessment of bipolar disorder should include a detailed psychiatric history ascertaining the presence of current or previous mood symptoms. Children and adolescents are more likely to present with either rapidly fluctuating or a mixed mood state. Bipolar disorder is associated with high relapse rates, even among those receiving treatment. The first-line medication class is second-generation antipsychotics. Additional psychosocial treatments such as psychoeducation, psychotherapy, and community engagement can also be helpful.

Latent subtypes of manic or irritable episode symptoms in two population-based cohorts

Background Episodic changes in mood characterise disorders such as bipolar disorder, which includes distinct periods of manic excitability or irritability, along with additional symptoms experienced during these periods. Common clinical understanding informs diagnostic criteria and epidemiological studies reflect clinical thresholds. Aims To use a data-driven approach to defining groupings of symptoms experienced during periods of manic or irritable mood, which could inform understanding of mood disorders and guide case classification by identifying subgroups with homogeneous clinical/functional outcomes. Methods We used latent class analysis (LCA) to conduct an exploration of the latent structure in symptom responses in the UK Biobank and PROTECT studies, by investigating how symptoms, experienced during periods of manic or irritable mood, formed latent subgroups. We tested associations of latent subgroups with sociodemographic characteristics, diagnoses of psychiatric disorders and polygenic risk scores (PRS). Results Five latent classes were identified that captured patterns of symptoms experienced during periods of manic or irritable mood (N=42,183) in UK Biobank. We identified one class that experienced disruptive episodes of mostly irritable mood that was largely comprised of cases of depression/anxiety, and a class of individuals with increased confidence/creativity that reported lower disruptiveness and lower functional impairment. The five latent classes were replicated in an independent cohort, the PROTECT study (N=4,445), with similar distinctions between classes. Conclusion Our data-driven approach to grouping individuals identified distinct latent classes. A dimensional classification of mood disorders informed by our findings will be able to better assess or subtype these disorders in future studies.

How Does Adding the DSM-5 Criterion Increased Energy/Activity for Mania Change the Bipolar Landscape?

According to DSM-IV, the criterion (A) for diagnosing hypomanic/manic episodes is mood change (i.e., elevated, expansive or irritable mood). Criterion (A) was redefined in DSM-5 in 2013, adding increased energy/activity in addition to mood change. This paper examines a potential change of prevalence data for bipolar I or II when adding increased energy/activity to the criterion (A) for the diagnosis of hypomania/mania. Own research suggests that the prevalence of manic/hypomanic episodes drops by at least one third when using DSM-5 criteria. Whether this has positive or negative impact on clinical practice and research still needs further evaluation.

Irritable Mood and Subthreshold Hypomanic Episodes Correlate with More Severe Major Depression

Introduction: Irritable mood (IM) and subthreshold hypomanic symptoms are reported in half and two-fifths of major depressed subjects respectively, but their clinical and prognostic meanings remain unclear. The aim of this study was to test the clinical usefulness of 2 specifiers in DSM-IV major depressive disorder (MDD): IM occurring during an index episode (IM+) and lifetime episodes of elated mood or IM with at least 2 concurrent hypomanic symptoms (subthreshold hypomanic episodes [SHEs]). Method: We included 482 outpatients with MDD participating in the Combining Medications to Enhance Depression Outcome study (mean age 43.14 ± 12.46 years, 144 males – 30%). The main aim of the original study was to test whether 2 different medications when given in combination as the first treatment step, compared to 1 medication, would improve antidepressant response. Results: IM + subjects (N = 349; 70%) were younger and more often females, with a more severe depression, a more marked social impairment, and more psychiatric comorbidities. The IM + group was also characterized by higher levels of suicidal ideation and more cases of emotional abuse. The combination of IM+ and SHEs was associated with an even more severe clinical picture. Limitations include the post hoc method, incomplete assessment of bipolar validators (e.g., family history of bipolar illness), personality disorders and suicide attempts. Conclusions: The presence of IM and SHEs in MDD correlate with an overall more severe clinical condition.