title: Prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorder in Korean college students according to the K-MDQ.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorder (BSD) in the general Korean population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of college students (n = 1026) was stratified to reflect geographical differences accurately in Korean college students. The Korean version of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (K-MDQ) was administered and an epidemiological survey carried out between November 2006 and February 2007. BSD was defined as a score of at least seven K-MDQ symptoms that co-occurred and resulted in minimal or more functional impairment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of BSD was 18.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 16.2-21.0) in total, being 19.8% (95% CI 16.3-23.2) in men and 17.5% (95% CI 14.2-20.8) in women. The prevalence of BSD was more common in rural dwellers than in urban dwellers (P = 0.008, chi-square test). Univariate and multivariate regression models showed that rural residence was a significant factor associated with BSD. There were significant relationships between BSD and gender, age, and socioeconomic status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of BSD found in the present study is higher than that reported by other epidemiological studies in Korea and in international studies.
authors.affiliation: Hangang Mental Clinic, Kimpo, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Oh
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Moon Doo
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jung Goo
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jeong-Suk
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Seung-Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Won
authors.forename: Young Sup
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: Jeong-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Seok
authors.forename: Won
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Se Joo
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyung Joon
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Duk-In
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Jon
authors.forename: Young Chul
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Won-Myong
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Bahk
authors.forename: Bo-Hyun
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Yoon
keywords: Mood Disorder Questionnaire; bipolar disorder; epidemiological study; general population