title: Impulsivity predicts time to reach euthymia in adults with bipolar disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Specific demographic and illness characteristics have been identified as predictors of overall morbidity and treatment course among individuals with bipolar disorder. However, the role of specific cognitive limitations on disease severity and treatment response is unclear. The present study evaluated whether impulsiveness during acute mania was a significant predictor of achieving euthymia within one year following psychiatric hospitalization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 94 adult inpatients (60 manic) with bipolar I disorder. Baseline symptom severity was assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale and the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. Impulsivity was measured with the Stop Signal Task, Degraded Stimulus Continuous Performance Task, Delayed Response Task, and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individual predictors of time to reach euthymia included fewer depressive symptoms and better impulse control at baseline, later age at illness onset, shorter illness duration, and the absence of comorbid attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Self-reported impulsivity was a significant independent predictor of time to euthymia, even after accounting for relevant clinical variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Better trait impulse control may be associated with better treatment responsiveness among adults with bipolar disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Erica L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Paula K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Shear
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Howe
authors.forename: Caleb M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Adler
authors.forename: Melissa P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: DelBello
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Fleck
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Strakowski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000209:etiology; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016019:Survival Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: bipolar disorder; impulsivity; mania; survival analysis; treatment response