[Psychopathology and personality patterns in the first-degree relatives of bipolar patients].
OBJECTIVE
This is a cross-sectional study designed to assess psychopathology and personality patterns in a group of high-risk subjects for bipolar disorder compared to a control group. As high-risk subjects first-degree relatives of bipolar patients were selected.


METHODS
Ninety-five first-degree relatives of 54 bipolar patients and 93 first-degree relatives of 54 subjects without any psychiatric disorder were recruited in the study. Control subjects were matched to bipolar patients according to age, gender and educational status. SADS-L (Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Lifetime Version) was used both to ascertain the psychiatric status of the patient and control subjects, and to evaluate the psychopathology in probands' and controls' relatives. MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2) profiles of relatives of patient and control groups were compared as well.


RESULTS
In the relatives of bipolar patients the SADS-L diagnoses of hypomania, minor depression and schizotypal personality were statistically more prevalent than in the relatives of the control group. MMPI-2 profiles of both relatives of bipolar patients and controls were within "normal" range, whereas relatives of patients were more defensive in disclosing psychopathology. Any specific profile characteristic for relatives of bipolar patients could not be described.


CONCLUSIONS
Minor mental disorders were more prevalent in the relatives of bipolar patients group. A personality pattern specific to high risk group for bipolar disorder couldn't be detected.
Sütçü Yildirim
Ayşegül
A
Hacettepe U Tip Fak., Psikiyatri AD., Ankara.
Celik
Mustafa
M
Kabakçi
Elif
E
Uluşahin
Aylin
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology