Self-reported cognitive problems predict employment trajectory in patients with bipolar I disorder.
BACKGROUND
Cognitive impairment in bipolar disorder has been associated with poor functional outcomes. We examined the relation of self-reported cognitive problems to employment trajectory in patients diagnosed with bipolar I disorder.


METHODS
154 bipolar I disorder patients were followed for 15-43months at the Bipolar Disorders Center for Pennsylvanians. Using a multinomial logistic regression we examined predictors of employment group including self-reported cognitive problems, mood symptoms, education and age. Cognitive functioning was measured via 4 self-report items assessing memory/concentration at baseline and termination. Employment status was recorded at baseline and termination. Employment was categorized as working (full-time, part-time, homemaker, volunteer) or not working (leave of absence, disability, unemployed, no longer volunteering) at each time point. Patients were categorized as good stable, improving, worsening and poor stable.


RESULTS
Baseline self-reported concentration problems and years of education significantly predicted employment trajectory.


CONCLUSIONS
Post-hoc analyses of existing clinical data.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-reported concentration problems assessed in the context of specific areas of functioning may serve as a sensitive predictor of functional outcome in patients diagnosed with bipolar I disorder.
Gilbert
A M
AM
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. agilbert2@nshs.edu
Olino
T M
TM
Houck
P
P
Fagiolini
A
A
Kupfer
D J
DJ
Frank
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011594:Psychometrics; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012650:Self Disclosure; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013694:Temperament; D055815:Young Adult