Descriptive study of the occupational outcome of bipolar patients.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to describe the occupational outcome of bipolar patients 3 years after being hospitalized in a psychiatry department, and the determinants of this outcome.


METHODS
One hundred and one bipolar patients consecutively hospitalized between 1st January 2002 and 31st December 2003, were recruited. Their occupations and medical items were assessed at baseline from the medical records and reassessed 3 years later, using a questionnaire on their work and treatment, and a quality of life scale. Occupational outcome was compared by univariate and multivariate analyses.


RESULTS
Of the 101 patients initially recruited, 36 were excluded and 34 were lost to follow-up. Among the 31 bipolar patients included in the study, 58.1% were working in 2003 and 54.8% were working in 2006. The presence of a personality disorder was significantly associated with a poorer occupational outcome and a lower rate of "return to work".


CONCLUSIONS
More than half of a population of hospitalized bipolar patients was employed. The presence of a personality disorder appeared to be a pejorative factor for "return to work", although other studies are needed to define the factors that determine the occupational outcome of bipolar patients.
Medard
E
E
AP-HP, Service de psychiatrie d'adultes, Hôpital Louis Mourier, 178 rue des Renouillers, 92701, Colombes, France. emiliemedard@hotmail.com
Dubertret
C
C
Peretti
C S
CS
Ades
J
J
D'escatha
A
A
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D059012:Lost to Follow-Up; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs