Association between duration of untreated bipolar disorder and clinical outcome: data from a Brazilian sample
Braz. J. Psychiatry (São Paulo, 1999, Impr.)
;
38(1): 6-10, Jan.-Mar. 2016. tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-776490
ABSTRACT
Objective:
Bipolar disorder (BD) is often left untreated for long periods, and this delay in treatment correlates with unfavorable prognosis. The present study sought to assess the magnitude of duration of untreated bipolar disorder (DUB) in Brazil. We hypothesized that DUB would be longer in Brazil than in developed countries, and would be associated with poor clinical outcomes.Methods:
One hundred and fifty-two psychiatric outpatients were evaluated for BD diagnosis, demographics, DUB, and clinical outcomes.Results:
The mean age and mean DUB were, respectively, 38.9±10.8 and 10.4±9.8 years. An extended DUB was associated with early onset of BD (p < 0.001), depression as first mood episode (p = 0.04), and presence of BD in a first-degree relative (p = 0.012). Additionally, a longer DUB was associated with poorer clinical outcomes, such as elevated rates of rapid cycling (p = 0.004) and anxiety disorders (p = 0.016), as well as lower levels of current full remission (p = 0.021).Conclusion:
As DUB may be a modifiable variable, better medical education regarding mental health, more structured medical services, and population-wide psychoeducation might reduce the time between onset and proper management of BD, thus improving outcome.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Bipolar Disorder
/
Delayed Diagnosis
/
Time-to-Treatment
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
/
Prevalence study
/
Prognostic study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Brazil
Language:
English
Journal:
Braz. J. Psychiatry (São Paulo, 1999, Impr.)
Journal subject:
Psychiatry
Year:
2016
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Universidade de São Paulo (USP)/BR
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