Polarity at illness onset in bipolar I disorder and clinical course of illness

Forty, L., Jones, L., Jones, I., Smith, D.J. , Caesar, S., Fraser, C., Gordon-Smith, K., Hyde, S. and Craddock, N. (2009) Polarity at illness onset in bipolar I disorder and clinical course of illness. Bipolar Disorders, 11(1), pp. 82-88. (doi: 10.1111/j.1399-5618.2008.00654.x)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-5618.2008.00654.x

Abstract

<b>Objectives:</b>  Studies have suggested that episode polarity at illness onset in bipolar disorder may be predictive of some aspects of lifetime clinical characteristics. We here examine this possibility in a large, well-characterized sample of patients with bipolar I disorder.<p></p> <b>Methods:</b>  We assessed polarity at onset in patients with bipolar I disorder (N = 553) recruited as part of our ongoing studies of affective disorders. Lifetime clinical characteristics of illness were compared in patients who had a depressive episode at first illness onset (n = 343) and patients who had a manic episode at first illness onset (n = 210).<p></p> <b>Results:</b>  Several lifetime clinical features differed between patients according to the polarity of their onset episode of illness. A logistic regression analysis showed that the lifetime clinical features significantly associated with a depressive episode at illness onset in our sample were: an earlier age at illness onset; a predominantly depressive polarity during the lifetime; more frequent and more severe depressive episodes; and less prominent lifetime psychotic features.<p></p> <b>Conclusions:</b>  Knowledge of pole of onset may help the clinician in providing prognostic information and management advice to an individual with bipolar disorder.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Smith, Professor Daniel
Authors: Forty, L., Jones, L., Jones, I., Smith, D.J., Caesar, S., Fraser, C., Gordon-Smith, K., Hyde, S., and Craddock, N.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
Journal Name:Bipolar Disorders
ISSN:1398-5647
ISSN (Online):1399-5618
Published Online:09 January 2009

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