Workplace productivity, employment issues, and resource utilization in patients with bipolar I disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To collect workplace productivity and healthcare utilization data from subjects with bipolar I disorder and compare the results with those from normative subjects.


METHODS
A cross sectional survey was administered to patients and recruiting physicians. Data collected included employment status, Endicott Workplace Productivity Scale (EWPS) results, healthcare resource utilization, and quality-of-life.


RESULTS
In comparison with normative subjects, bipolar I subjects reported lower levels of work productivity (measured by the EWPS). Bipolar I subjects also reported more frequent outpatient visits and more prescribed pharmaceuticals. Bipolar I subjects were more likely to miss work, have worked reduced hours due to medical or mental health issues, receive disability payments, been involved in a crime, be uninsured or covered by Medicare, or have been fired or laid off. The study groups were age- and gender-matched to reduce the impact of selection bias associated with a non-randomized study design. Other potential limitations affecting the results of the study include recall bias and possibly an impact of different data collection methods (e.g. Internet versus telephone).


CONCLUSIONS
Bipolar I disorder is associated with a negative effect on work productivity and resource utilization and is an appropriate disease management target for employers and healthcare decision makers.
McMorris
Barbara J
BJ
Center for Adolescent Nursing, Healthy Youth Development-Prevention Research Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Downs
Kristen E
KE
Panish
Jessica M
JM
Dirani
Riad
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019468:Disease Management; D004526:Efficiency; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010045:Outpatients; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult