Depression in inpatients: bipolar vs unipolar.
162 depressed inpatients were divided into three diagnostic groups to compare patterns of sociodemographic characteristics, psychopathology, and psychosocial: 35 had a single episode of major depression, 96 had recurrent major depression, and 31 had a bipolar disorder. Psychopathology and psychosocial functioning were measured by clinician-rated scales, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Clinical Global Impression, and self-rating scales, Symptom Checklist-90, Social Support Questionnaire, Social Adjustment Scale. The three groups were comparable on sociodemographic variables, with the exception of education. Univariate analyses showed a similar social impairment as measured by Social Support Questionnaire, Social Adjustment Scale, and no significant differences were recorded for the psychopathology when the total test scores (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Clinical Global Index, Symptom Checklist-90) were evaluated. Some differences emerged for single items in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and Symptom Checklist-90. These findings suggest a substantial similarity among the three groups. Results are discussed in terms of the clinical similarities between unipolar and bipolar patients during a depressive episode as well as the limitations of cross-sectional study implies.
Dorz
Stella
S
Affective Disorders Unit, Casa di Cura Parco dei Tigli-Padova, Italy. ud.tigli@gpnet.it
Borgherini
Giuseppe
G
Conforti
Donatella
D
Scarso
Caterina
C
Magni
Guido
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011599:Psychopathology; D012008:Recurrence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors