Bipolar I and II disorders in a random and representative Australian population.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of bipolar I and II disorders in an Australian population.


METHODS
The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) was administered to 3015 respondents in a random and representative sample in South Australia. Health status, quality of life and demographic data were also collected.


RESULTS
There was a 2.5% lifetime prevalence of bipolar I and II disorders delineated by the MDQ. Those people had a significantly greater use of services and a poorer health status and quality of life than those who were MDQ-negative.


CONCLUSIONS
These results in an Australian population are consistent with other international studies showing a greater prevalence of bipolar disorders than hitherto appreciated.
Goldney
Robert D
RD
Department of Psychiatry, University of Adelaide, The Adelaide Clinic, 33 Park Terrace, Gilberton, South Australia 5081, Australia. robert.goldney@adelaide.edu.au
Fisher
Laura J
LJ
Grande
Eleonora Dal
ED
Taylor
Anne W
AW
Hawthorne
Graeme
G
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires