The CANMAT task force recommendations for the management of patients with mood disorders and comorbid medical conditions: diagnostic, assessment, and treatment principles.
BACKGROUND
Medical comorbidity is commonly encountered in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). The presence of medical comorbidity has diagnostic, prognostic, treatment, and etiologic implications underscoring the importance of timely detection and treatment.


METHODS
A selective review of relevant articles and reviews published in English-language databases (1968 to April 2011) was conducted. Studies describing epidemiology, temporality of onset, treatment implications, and prognosis were selected for review.


RESULTS
A growing body of evidence from epidemiologic, clinical, and biologic studies suggests that the relationship between medical illness and mood disorder is bidirectional in nature. It provides support for the multiplay of shared and specific etiologic factors interlinking these conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
This article describes the complex interactions between medical illness and mood disorders and provides a meaningful approach to their comorbid clinical diagnosis and management.
Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. rramasub@ucalgary.ca
Rajamannar
R
Ramasubbu
Serge
S
Beaulieu
Valerie H
VH
Taylor
Ayal
A
Schaffer
Roger S
RS
McIntyre
D026683:Advisory Committees; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002170:Canada; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018692:Antimanic Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents