Bipolar affective disorder in old age.
In a retrospective study of 67 elderly bipolar patients the first manic attack occurred at about age 60, often after a long period from the time of the first affective episode, after which further depressive episodes occurred. This calls into question Perris' criteria for unipolar diagnosis. Among the men, a preponderance of cerebral-organic disorders was found. The evidence for sub-classification of bipolar disorders into secondary or symptomatic manias is discussed. The recurrent nature of the illness in old age stresses the need for further evaluation of lithium prophylaxis.
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors