title: Bipolar disorder and age-related functional impairment.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: INCT Translational Medicine, Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alice Aita
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Cacilhas
authors.forename: Pedro Vieira da Silva
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Magalhães
authors.forename: Keila Maria
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ceresér
authors.forename: Julio Cesar
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Walz
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Weyne
authors.forename: Adriane Ribeiro
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.forename: Eduard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vieta
authors.forename: Flávio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kapczinski
mesh_terms: 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