title: Cognitive executive performance influences functional outcome in euthymic type I bipolar disorder outpatients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a debate about the influence of executive functioning impairment in the functionality of Bipolar Disorder Type I, even when euthymic (EutBDI). The aim of this study was to explore this relationship, taking functional outcome from a multidimensional point of view.
  
  
  METHODS
  An extended neuropsychological battery of executive tests and measures of social functioning were administered to 31 EutBDI and 25 non-psychiatric patients. Percentage of patients scoring lower than -1.64 SD was calculated for each executive measure. This was compared in terms of clinical features to those with normal performance. Partial correlations and ANCOVA were applied between psychosocial and executive variables within the EutBDI-group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients reached poorer scores in mental flexibility, plan implementing, set-shifting, and fluency (p<0.05). 76% of patients performed poorly on some of the executive tests, although only around 1/3 reached a clinical deficit (<-1.64SD). Executive functioning was related to some clinical, evolution, and treatment variables. A better use of leisure time, higher competence for independent living and holding a skilled type of profession were significantly associated with a better performance on planning, set-shifting, and fluency tasks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Persistent executive deficits in EutBDI may be related to their frequently reported difficulties in personaland occupational adjustment.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Department, Corporaciò Sanitària i Universitària Parc Taulí (Sabadell).
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miguélez-Pan
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pousa
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cobo
authors.forename: Rosó
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Duño
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009790:Occupations; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology; D011340:Problem Solving; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs