Effect of number of episodes on wellbeing and functioning of patients with bipolar disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between number of episodes and inter-episode functioning in bipolar disorder.


METHODS
Sixty-four euthymic subjects with bipolar affective disorder completed the Medical Outcomes Questionnaire Short Form and the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale. Goodness-of-fit models were used to define the relation between episode number and level of function.


RESULTS
Non-linear logarithmic and power relations best described the association between number of episodes and outcome. Number of past depressions was a stronger determinant of outcome than past manias.


CONCLUSIONS
Strategies to minimize the number of episodes experienced by patients with bipolar illness must be pursued aggressively if function is to be maintained, with particular attention given to minimizing episodes of depression.
MacQueen
G M
GM
Mood Disorders Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Young
L T
LT
Robb
J C
JC
Marriott
M
M
Cooke
R G
RG
Joffe
R T
RT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires