Impact of bipolar disorder on a U.S. community sample.
BACKGROUND
Bipolar disorder is a chronic psychiatric illness characterized by depression and at least 1 manic or hypomanic episode during the lifetime of the illness. Bipolar symptoms have been associated with significant functional impairment. We conducted a study to determine the psychosocial impact of bipolar disorder in a U.S. community sample.


METHODS
3059 subjects were selected from a large epidemiologic study of bipolar prevalence that used the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) to screen for bipolar I and II disorder. Subjects were surveyed from April 24, 2001, to August 6, 2001, using the Sheehan Disability Scale and the Social Adjustment Scale-Self Report. Comorbid disease data were also collected.


RESULTS
Of the 3059 subjects surveyed, 2450 (80%) returned completed surveys: 1167 (48%) subjects screened positive for bipolar disorder based on MDQ scores; 1283 (52%) screened negative. MDQ-positive subjects reported significantly (p <.0001) more difficulties with work-related performance, social/leisure activities, and social/family interactions compared with MDQ-negative subjects. Younger subjects, aged 18 to 34 years, reported significantly (p =.003) more symptom days than did older MDQ-positive subjects. MDQ-positive women reported more disruption in social and family life, while MDQ-positive men reported being jailed, arrested, and convicted for crimes. Anxiety (30% vs. 6%), panic attacks (18% vs. 4%), migraine (24% vs. 11%), asthma (17% vs. 10%), and allergies (42% vs. 29%) were significantly (p <.05) more common in MDQ-positive versus MDQ-negative subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Bipolar disorder, as identified in a community sample using the Mood Disorder Questionnaire, was significantly associated with negative impact on the performance of work-related, leisure, and interpersonal activities.
Calabrese
Joseph R
JR
Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA. jrc8@po.cwru.edu
Hirschfeld
Robert M A
RM
Reed
Michael
M
Davies
Marilyn A
MA
Frye
Mark A
MA
Keck
Paul E
PE
Lewis
Lydia
L
McElroy
Susan L
SL
McNulty
James P
JP
Wagner
Karen D
KD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D019352:Censuses; D015897:Comorbidity; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011153:Population; D015995:Prevalence; D012917:Social Adjustment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology