Further evidence for a developmental subtype of bipolar disorder defined by age at onset: results from the national epidemiologic survey on alcohol and related conditions.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the relationship between age at onset of bipolar I disorder and illness characteristics among adults in a community sample.


METHODS
The National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions identified 1,411 adults with bipolar disorder. For analyses, bipolar disorder subjects were divided into three age at onset groups: childhood (less than 13 years old, N=113), adolescence (13-18 years old, N=339), and adulthood (19 years or older, N=959).


RESULTS
Nonremitting bipolar disorder was most prevalent among childhood-onset subjects, and childhood-onset subjects were most likely to experience prolonged episodes. Antisocial personality disorder was most prevalent among childhood-onset subjects. Drug use disorders were more prevalent among childhood-onset and adolescent-onset, as compared with adult-onset, subjects. Prevalence of mixed episodes or irritability did not differ significantly between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings corroborate clinical studies: illness characteristics among adults with childhood-onset bipolar disorder are similar to those described in children with bipolar disorder.
Goldstein
Benjamin I
BI
Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook and Women's Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4N 3M5.
Levitt
Anthony J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D017668:Age of Onset; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology