Bipolar disorder and age-related functional impairment.
OBJECTIVE
Although bipolar disorder is a major contributor to functional impairment worldwide, an independent impact of bipolar disorder and ageing on functioning has yet to be demonstrated. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of bipolar disorder on age-related functional status using matched controls as a standard.


METHODS
One-hundred patients with bipolar disorder and matched controls were evaluated for disability. Age-related effects controlled for confounders were cross-sectionally evaluated.


RESULTS
Patients were significantly more impaired than controls. Regression showed effects for aging in both groups. The effect, size, however, was significantly stronger in patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Bipolar disorder was an important effect modifier of the age impact on functioning. While a longitudinal design is needed to effectively demonstrate this different impact, this study further depicts bipolar disorder as a chronic and progressively impairing illness.
Cacilhas
Alice Aita
AA
INCT Translational Medicine, Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Magalhães
Pedro Vieira da Silva
PV
Ceresér
Keila Maria
KM
Walz
Julio Cesar
JC
Weyne
Fernanda
F
Rosa
Adriane Ribeiro
AR
Vieta
Eduard
E
Kapczinski
Flávio
F
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged