Prevalence of diabetes in patients with bipolar disorder in Taiwan: a population-based national health insurance study.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the prevalence and correlates of diabetes in patients with bipolar disorder in Taiwan.


METHODS
The National Health Research Institute provided a database of 1,000,000 random subjects from which we selected a sample of 766,427 subjects aged 18 years and over. We identified study subjects who had at least one service claim during 2005, with a primary diagnosis of bipolar disorder or with a prescription for treatment of diabetes.


RESULTS
The prevalence of diabetes in patients with bipolar disorder was higher than in the general population (10.77% vs. 5.57%, OR, 2.01; 99% CI, 1.64-2.48). Compared with the general population, patients with bipolar disorder had a higher prevalence of diabetes in all age groups under 60 years; among females and males; among lower insurance amount groups; among those living in the northern, central and southern regions and among residents living in urban and rural areas. Antipsychotic use was associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes in persons with bipolar disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with bipolar disorder had a higher prevalence of diabetes than the general population. Prevention, early detection and treatment of diabetes are important issues for patients with bipolar disorder.
Department of Health, Taoyuan Mental Hospital, Taoyuan City, Taoyuan County 33058, Taiwan. lewis777@ms26.hinet.net
I-Chia
IC
Chien
Kun-Chia
KC
Chang
Ching-Heng
CH
Lin
Yiing-Jenq
YJ
Chou
Pesus
P
Chou
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013624:Taiwan; D055815:Young Adult
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents