The impact of age at onset of bipolar I disorder on functioning and clinical presentation

Frances Biffin, Steven Tahtalian, Kate Filia, Paul B. Fitzgerald, Anthony R. De Castella, Sacha Filia, Michael Berk, Seetal Dodd, Pam Callaly, Lesley Berk, Katarina Kelin, Meg A. Smith, William Montgomery, Jayashri Kulkarni

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    21 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Objectives: Recent studies have proposed the existence of three distinct subgroups of bipolar 1 disorder based on age at onset (AAO). The present study aims to investigate potential clinical and functional differences between these subgroups in an Australian sample. Methods: Participants (n = 239) were enrolled in the Bipolar Comprehensive Outcomes Study (BCOS), a 2-year longitudinal, observational, cross-sectional study. Assessment measures included the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD21), Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI-BP), SF-36, SLICE/Life Scale, and the EuroQol (EQ-5D). Participants were also asked about their age at the first major affective episode. Results: Three AAO groups were compared: early (AAO < 20, mean = 15.5 ± 2.72; 44.4% of the participants); intermediate (AAO 20–39, mean = 26.1 ± 4.8; 48.14% of the participants) and late (AAO > 40, mean = 50.6 ± 9.04; 7.4% of the participants). Higher rates of depression, suicidal ideation and binge drinking were reported by the early AAO group. This group also reported poorer quality of life in a number of areas. The early AAO group had a predominant depressive initial polarity and the intermediate group had a manic predominance. Conclusion: Early AAO is associated with an adverse outcome.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)191-196
    Number of pages5
    JournalActa Neuropsychiatrica
    Volume21
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2009

    Keywords

    • depression, mental
    • mania
    • manic-depressive illness
    • psychosis

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