Prodromal symptoms to relapse in bipolar disorder

Interventions for helping people recognise early signs of recurrence in bipolar disorder

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows:

To evaluate the effectiveness of EWS plus TAU or EWS plus psychological therapy versus TAU alone or psychological treatment (without EWS) independently on time to recurrence of any bipolar episode and hospitalisation, and other clinically relevant outcome measures. 

To evaluate the effectiveness of intermittent medication used on recognition of EWS without continued mood‐stabilising medication versus TAU involving continued mood‐stabilising medication on time to recurrence of any bipolar episodes.

The association of childhood trauma, lifetime stressful events and general psychopathological symptoms in euthymic bipolar patients and healthy subjects

BACKGROUND

Psychopathological symptoms during euthymia in Bipolar Disorder (BD) affect quality of life and predispose to the occurrence of new acute episodes, however only few studies investigated potential risk-factors. This study aims to explore the association between childhood trauma (CT), lifetime stressful events (SLEs) and psychopathological symptoms in BD patients during euthymia and controls (HC).

METHODS

A total of 261 participants (93 euthymic patients with BD, 168 HC) were enrolled. Generalized linear models and multiple logistic models were used to assess the association among the Symptom Check List-90-R (SCL-90-R), the Infancy Trauma Interview, the Paykel Life Events Scale.

RESULTS

The rate of participants reporting CT was higher in BD (n=47; 53%) than HC (n=43; 30%) (p=0.001). The experience of neglect was strongly related to BD (OR 6.5; p=0.003). CT was associated to higher scores on the SCL-90-R subscales (all the subscales except Phobia). No effects of the interaction between CT and diagnosis were found on SCL-90-R. Finally, there was a main effect of CT on lifetime SLEs (p<.001), that was not associated with diagnosis (p=0.833), nor with the interaction between CT and diagnosis (p=0.624).

LIMITATIONS

The cross-sectional design does not allow causal inferences; the exclusion of subjects reporting medical or psychiatric comorbidity limits generalizability.

CONCLUSIONS

CT was associated both to psychopathological symptoms during euthymia and the lifetime SLEs, thus it may represent a vulnerability factor influencing the course of BD. Overall, these data contribute to overcome the limited evidences documenting the influence of environmental factors on euthymic phase in BD.

Efficacy of early warning signals and spectral periodicity for predicting transitions in bipolar patients: An actigraphy study

Early-warning signals (EWS) have been successfully employed to predict transitions in research fields such as biology, ecology, and psychiatry. The predictive properties of EWS might aid in foreseeing transitions in mood episodes (i.e. recurrent episodes of mania and depression) in bipolar disorder (BD) patients. We analyzed actigraphy data assessed during normal daily life to investigate the feasibility of using EWS to predict mood transitions in bipolar patients. Actigraphy data of 15 patients diagnosed with BD Type I collected continuously for 180 days were used. Our final sample included eight patients that experienced a mood episode, three manic episodes and five depressed episodes. Actigraphy data derived generic EWS (variance and kurtosis) and context-driven EWS (autocorrelation at lag-720) were used to determine if these were associated to upcoming bipolar episodes. Spectral analysis was used to predict changes in the periodicity of the sleep/wake cycle. The study procedures were pre-registered. Results indicated that in seven out of eight patients at least one of the EWS did show a significant change-up till four weeks before episode onset. For the generic EWS the direction of change was always in the expected direction, whereas for the context-driven EWS the observed effect was often in the direction opposite of what was expected. The actigraphy data derived EWS and spectral analysis showed promise for the prediction of upcoming transitions in mood episodes in bipolar patients. Further studies into false positive rates are suggested to improve effectiveness for EWS to identify upcoming bipolar episode onsets.

Initial and relapse prodromes in adult patients with episodes of bipolar disorder: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Distinguishing prodromes of bipolar disorder (BD) specific to children/adolescents, adults, and elderly patients is essential. The primary objective of this systematic review was to determine initial and relapse prodromes identifying adult patients with BD.

METHODS

PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases were searched using a predetermined strategy. A controlled process of study selection and data extraction was performed.

RESULTS

The 22 articles selected included 1,809 adult patients with BD. Initial prodromes cited most frequently in these studies showed low specificity. Among relapse prodromes cited most frequently, more talkative than usual, increased energy/more goal-directed behavior, thoughts start to race, increased self-esteem, strong interest in sex, increase in activity, and spending too much were identified exclusively before a manic/hypomanic episode, while loss of interest and hypersomnia were detected only before a depressive episode. Initial prodromal phases lasted longer than prodromal relapse phases. In the selected studies, the most used prodrome identification procedure was the clinical interview.

CONCLUSIONS

For adult patients with BD, initial and relapse prodromes of manic, hypomanic, and depressive episodes were identified. It is proposed that the most frequent prodromes found in this review be incorporated into a smartphone app that monitors the functioning of people at risk of BD and patients who have already been diagnosed. Data from this app would constitute a relevant source of big data.

The Impact of Subsyndromal Bipolar Symptoms on Patient's Functionality and Quality of Life

Subsyndromal symptoms have rarely been in the focus of bipolar research. This may be, in part, due to the fact that there is neither a uniform definition nor do they constitute an indication of regulatory and commercial interest. Nevertheless, they do have a decisive impact on the long-term course of bipolar disorder (BD), and the degree of functionality and quality of life (QoL) is more likely determined by their presence or absence than by acute episodes. Summarizing the literature an estimated 20-50% of patients suffer inter-episodically or chronically from subsyndromal BD. The most prominent symptoms that interfere with functionality are subsyndromal depression, disturbances of sleep, and perceived cognitive impairment, whereas anxiety negatively impacts on QoL. In the absence of evidence-based pharmacological treatments for subsyndromal BD, clinical practice adopts guidelines designed for treatment-resistant full-blown episodes of BD, supplemented by cognitive-behavioral, family focused or social-rhythm-based psychotherapies.

Microaggressions towards people affected by mental health problems: a scoping review

AIMS

This review aims to understand the scope of the literature regarding mental health-related microaggressions towards people affected by mental health problems.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted to explore this question. Four electronic health-oriented databases were searched alongside Google Scholar. As per scoping review principles, the inclusion criteria were developed iteratively. The results of included studies were synthesised using a basic narrative synthesis approach, utilising principles of thematic analysis and thematic synthesis where appropriate.

RESULTS

A total of 1196 records were identified, of which 17 met inclusion criteria. Of these, 12 were peer-reviewed journal articles, three were research degree theses and two were book chapters. Six included empirical studies were qualitative, four were quantitative and two employed a mixed-methods design. Within these, five qualitative studies aimed to describe the nature of mental health microaggressions experienced by people with mental health problems. Themes identified in a thematic synthesis of these five studies included stereotypes about mental illness, invalidating peoples' experience and blaming people with mental illness for their condition. The included publications informed on the perpetration of mental health microaggressions by family, friends, health professionals and social workers. In addition, two studies created scales, which were then used in cross-sectional surveys of the general public and community members to assess characteristics, such as right-wing political views, associated with endorsement of mental health microaggressions. A consensus definition of microaggressions emerged from the included studies: microaggressions are brief, everyday slights, snubs or insults, that may be subtle or ambiguous, but communicate a negative message to a target person based on their membership of a marginalised group, in this case, people affected by mental illness.

CONCLUSIONS

The study of mental health microaggressions is an emerging, heterogeneous field, embedded in the wider stigma and discrimination literature. It has been influenced by earlier work on racial microaggressions. Both can be ambiguous and contradictory, which creates difficulty defining the boundaries of the concept, but also underpins the key theoretical basis for the negative impact of microaggressions. Mental illness is a more concealable potential type of identity, so it follows that the reported perpetrators of microaggressions are largely friends, family and professionals. This has implications for intervening to reduce the impact of microaggressions. There are several challenges facing research in this area, and further work is needed to understand the impact of mental health microaggressions on people affected by mental health problems.

Barriers and facilitators perceived by people with bipolar disorder for the practice of exercise: a qualitative study

INTRODUCTION

Exercising regularly has benefits for people with bipolar disorder. Nevertheless, as a group, these patients tend to be less physically active than the general population and little is known from the viewpoint of the patients about the barriers and facilitators to such a practice.

OBJECTIVE

To know the barriers and facilitators perceived by people with bipolar disorder for the practice of exercise.

METHODS

This study had a descriptive, qualitative, exploratory nature. The investigation method used for data collection was a semi-structured in-depth interview, using grounded theory as theoretical framework.

RESULTS

The data analysis generated two main areas of interest: adherence to regular physical exercise (barriers and facilitators) and the participants' exercise history and perception of disease management, as described below. The main findings were: most of our sample did not exercise regularly, nor knew how exercise can positively influence their disorder; with regard to adherence to physical exercise, the presence of symptoms and stigma were the most important barriers to the practice of physical exercise. Social support, especially from family and friends, could be a facilitator to the practice of exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

Even considering the limitations for generalization of qualitative and exploratory studies, understanding perceived barriers and facilitators for the practice of exercise among people who suffer with bipolar disorder may contribute to the promotion of activities in which people with mental illness can participate.

Depressive residual symptoms are associated with illness course characteristics in a sample of outpatients with bipolar disorder

Rates of 50-70% of residual symptoms referring to subsyndromal manifestations between episodes that do not meet the required criteria for episode definition were reported in bipolar disorder (BD). However, the specific role of these symptoms on the course of BD patients is poorly understood; thus, we aimed to investigate factors associated with depressive residual symptoms. Overall, 255 currently euthymic BD outpatients on maintenance treatment, including 95 (37.2%) males and 160 (62.8%) females, were consecutively recruited at the Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University of Genoa (Italy) and underwent detailed structured interviews, comprehensive clinical interviews, and clinical record reviews for assessment/collection of relevant information concerning the course of illness and clinical status including cross-referral of all available information. After categorizing subjects according to the presence/absence of residual symptoms, groups were compared along clinical variables and variables associated with residual symptoms were analyzed using multivariate analyses. Subjects with residual symptoms were less likely to report substance abuse (χ²₍₂₎ = 11.937, p ≤ 0.005) and lifetime psychotic symptoms (χ²₍₂₎ = 10.577, p = 0.005), and more likely to report higher illness episodes, longer duration of illness (t₂₅₃ = 67.282, p ≤ 0.001; t₂₅₃ = 10.755, p ≤ 0.001), and longer duration of current illness episode (t₂₅₃ = 7.707, p ≤ 0.001) than those without residual symptoms. After multivariate analyses, a significant positive contribution to residual symptoms was given only by duration of current illness episode (β = 0.003; p ≤ 0.05), and lifetime psychotic symptoms (β = 1.094; p ≤ 0.005). Clinicians have to pay attention to minimize residual symptoms that may significantly impact on the course of BD and achievement of full remission between episodes.

Circadian Rhythm Disturbances in Mood Disorders: Insights into the Role of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

Circadian rhythm disturbances are a common symptom among individuals with mood disorders. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), in the ventral part of the anterior hypothalamus, orchestrates physiological and behavioral circadian rhythms. The SCN consists of self-sustaining oscillators and receives photic and nonphotic cues, which entrain the SCN to the external environment. In turn, through synaptic and hormonal mechanisms, the SCN can drive and synchronize circadian rhythms in extra-SCN brain regions and peripheral tissues. Thus, genetic or environmental perturbations of SCN rhythms could disrupt brain regions more closely related to mood regulation and cause mood disturbances. Here, we review clinical and preclinical studies that provide evidence both for and against a causal role for the SCN in mood disorders.

Effectiveness of the Dader Method for Pharmaceutical Care on Patients with Bipolar I Disorder: Results from the EMDADER-TAB Study

BACKGROUND

Bipolar I disorder (BD-I) is a chronic illness characterized by relapses alternating with periods of remission. Pharmacists can contribute to improved health outcomes in these patients through pharmaceutical care in association with a multidisciplinary health team; however, more evidence derived from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is needed to demonstrate the effect of pharmaceutical care on patients with BD-I.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of a pharmaceutical intervention using the Dader Method on patients with BD-I, measured by the decrease in the number of hospitalizations, emergency service consultations, and unscheduled outpatient visits from baseline through 1 year of follow-up.

METHODS

This study is based on the EMDADER-TAB trial, which was an RCT designed to compare pharmaceutical care with the usual care given to outpatients with BD-I in a psychiatric clinic. The main outcome was the use of health care services, using Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox regression. The trial protocol was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier NCT01750255).

RESULTS

92 patients were included in the EMDADER-TAB study: 43 pharmaceutical care patients (intervention group) and 49 usual care patients (control group). At baseline, no significant differences in demographic and clinical characteristics were found across the 2 groups. After 1 year of follow-up, the risk of hospitalizations and emergencies was higher for the control group than for the intervention group (HR = 9.03, P = 0.042; HR = 3.38, P = 0.034, respectively); however, the risk of unscheduled outpatient visits was higher for the intervention group (HR = 4.18, P = 0.028). There was no "placebo" treatment, and patients in the control group might have produced positive outcomes and reduced the magnitude of differences compared with the intervention group.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with usual care, pharmaceutical care significantly reduced hospitalizations and emergency service consultations by outpatients with BD-I.

DISCLOSURES

This study received funding from the Universidad de Antioquia, Committee for Development Research and Sustainability Program, CODI, (2013-2014 and 2014-2015). Humax Pharmaceutical provided support for the initial development of the EMDADER-TAB trial without commercial interest in the outcomes derived from the trial. Salazar-Ospina reports grants from Credito Beca Francisco José de Caldas Scholarship for Doctoral Programs (528), which also contributed to the support of this study. González-Avendaño is an employee of Humax Pharmaceutical. The other authors have nothing to disclose. Study concept and design were contributed by Benjumea, Faus, and Rodriguez, along with Salazar-Ospina and Amariles. Salazar-Ospina took the lead in data collection, assisted by González-Avendaño, and data interpretation was performed by Salazar-Ospina, Hincapié-García, and González-Avendaño. The manuscript was written primarily by Salazar-Ospina, with assistance from Amariles and González-Avendaño, and revised by all the authors.

Mood disorders and biological rhythms in young adults: A large population-based study

BACKGROUND

It is known that sleep disturbance has been considered a trait-marker of mood disorders. However, the role of disruptions in biological rhythms, such as eating, activity, and social patterns, needs to be better understood.

AIM

To assess the differences in biological rhythms in subjects with bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and healthy controls. We also tested the association between disruptions of biological rhythms and circadian preferences.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, population-based study with a representative sample of 1023 young adults. Bipolar disorder and depression were diagnosed using The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview - PLUS and DSM Structured Clinical Interview. Self-reported biological rhythms and circadian preference were assessed using the Biological Rhythm Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (BRIAN).

RESULTS

Bipolar disorders and depression subjects presented higher rates of disruption in biological rhythms when compared to healthy controls even after adjusting for sex, socioeconomic status, alcohol, tobacco, illicit drug use, anxiety disorder and psychotropic medication use. Euthymic subjects showed higher biological rhythm disruption when compared to controls. Higher disruption in biological rhythms was observed in subjects with evening preferences.

CONCLUSION

Higher disruption in biological rhythms occurs in individuals with depression and bipolar disorder even on periods of euthymia.

Sleep, residual mood symptoms, and time to relapse in recovered patients with bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

Sleep disturbance in bipolar disorder (BD) is common during and between mood episodes. In recovered (euthymic at least two months) BD patients, we assessed sleep compared to controls and its relationships with residual mood symptoms and mood episode recurrence.

METHOD

Recovered Stanford University BD Clinic patients diagnosed with the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for BD (STEP-BD) Affective Disorders Evaluation and monitored with the STEP-BD Clinical Monitoring Form (CMF) for >1 year and healthy controls completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). PSQI parameters were compared in BD patients versus controls, and the most robustly differentiating PSQI parameter was assessed in relationship to residual mood symptoms, and time to mood episode recurrence in BD patients.

RESULTS

Eighty nine recovered BD patients compared to 56 healthy controls had significantly worse PSQI global score, more sleep medication use, longer sleep latency, and worse daytime dysfunction. PSQI global score had the greatest BD patient versus control effect size, and among BD patients, correlated significantly with residual mood symptoms and predicted earlier mood episode recurrence, even after covarying for residual mood symptoms.

LIMITATIONS

Use of subjective (PSQI) rather objective (polysomnography) sleep metric. Statistical power limited by small sample size. Potential psychotropic medication confound. Northern California tertiary BD clinic referral sample.

CONCLUSION

Further research is needed to confirm that in recovered BD patients, poor sleep quality correlates with residual mood symptoms, and independently predicts mood episode recurrence. If confirmed, these observations suggest potential mood benefit for focusing on sleep quality in interventions for recovered BD patients.

The role of sleep in bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness characterized by alternating periods of elevated and depressed mood. Sleep disturbances in bipolar disorder are present during all stages of the condition and exert a negative impact on overall course, quality of life, and treatment outcomes. We examine the partnership between circadian system (process C) functioning and sleep-wake homeostasis (process S) on optimal sleep functioning and explore the role of disruptions in both systems on sleep disturbances in bipolar disorder. A convergence of evidence suggests that sleep problems in bipolar disorder result from dysregulation across both process C and process S systems. Biomarkers of depressive episodes include heightened fragmentation of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, reduced REM latency, increased REM density, and a greater percentage of awakenings, while biomarkers of manic episodes include reduced REM latency, greater percentage of stage I sleep, increased REM density, discontinuous sleep patterns, shortened total sleep time, and a greater time awake in bed. These findings highlight the importance of targeting novel treatments for sleep disturbance in bipolar disorder.

Neuropsychological underpinnings of the dynamics of bipolar disorder

Although we have gained enormous insights into neurobiological and psychological underpinnings of bipolar disorder (BD) symptoms, our knowledge concerning pathogenic mechanisms initiating recurrent affective episodes is still fragmentary. Previous research has highlighted the role of significant life events and social rhythm in recurrent episodes of mania and depression. However, most studies share the drawback of retrospective self-report data, which are prone to recall biases and limited introspective abilities. Therefore, more objective data, such as neuropsychological and neurobiological measures are needed to further unravel the pathogenic mechanisms of the dynamics of bipolar disorder. Previous research has highlighted disturbed emotional reactivity as well as impaired emotion regulation and impulse control as major behavioural characteristics of BD and aberrancies in prefrontal-limbic-striatal networks that have been proposed to be the correlates of these behavioural alterations. However, longitudinal studies assessing these neural and behavioural alterations are rare. Future research should therefore adopt prospective study designs including behavioural and neuroimaging measures underlying cognitive, emotional and motivational deficits in bipolar disorder. Particularly, these measures should be collected continuously at multiple time points as implemented in modern ambulatory assessment tools.

Collaborative care for patients with bipolar disorder: randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

A substantial number of people with bipolar disorder show a suboptimal response to treatment.

AIMS

To study the effectiveness of a collaborative care programme on symptoms and medication adherence in patients with bipolar disorder, compared with care as usual.

METHOD

A two-armed, cluster randomised clinical trial was carried out in 16 out-patient mental health clinics in The Netherlands, in which 138 patients were randomised. Patient outcomes included duration and severity of symptoms and medication adherence, and were measured at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. Collaborative care comprised contracting, psychoeducation, problem-solving treatment, systematic relapse prevention and monitoring of outcomes. Mental health nurses functioned as care managers in this programme. The trial was registered with The Netherlands Trial Registry (NTR2600).

RESULTS

Collaborative care had a significant and clinically relevant effect on number of months with depressive symptoms, both at 6 months (z = -2.6, P = 0.01, d = 0.5) and at 12 months (z = -3.1, P = 0.002, d = 0.7), as well as on severity of depressive symptoms at 12 months (z = -2.9, P = 0.004, d = 0.4). There was no effect on symptoms of mania or on treatment adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

When compared with treatment as usual, collaborative care substantially reduced the time participants with bipolar disorder experienced depressive symptoms. Also, depressive symptom severity decreased significantly. As persistent depressive symptoms are difficult to treat and contribute to both disability and impaired quality of life in bipolar disorder, collaborative care may be an important form of treatment for people with this disorder.

Effects of emotional stimuli on time perception in manic and euthymic patients with bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

Time perception, which plays a fundamental role in decision-making and the evaluation of the environment, is also influenced by emotions. Patients with bipolar disorder have impairments in emotional processing as well as interval timing. We investigated the effects of emotional stimuli on time estimation and reproduction in manic and euthymic bipolar patients compared with healthy controls.

METHODS

We recruited 22 manic bipolar patients, 24 euthymic bipolar patients and 24 healthy controls. Each subject performed time estimation and reproduction tasks using standardized affective pictures that were classified into 4 stimulus groups according to valence and level of arousal and presented for durations of 2, 4, and 6s. We analyzed temporal performance on these tasks using transformed data expressed as a proportion of the target period.

RESULTS

The interactions between arousal and valence were different in manic patients compared with euthymic patients and healthy controls in both time estimation and reproduction tasks. Manic patients showed no effect of positive valence low arousal stimuli in the time estimation task compared to euthymic patients and healthy controls. In the time reproduction task, the effect of emotional stimuli was reversed in manic patients compared to euthymic patients and healthy controls. Significant correlations between the severity of manic symptoms or illness severity and average temporal performance scores were found in manic patients.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that altered emotion-related time judgments may be a state-dependent phenomenon observed in manic patients only. This difference in time perception for emotional stimuli may be related to the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of the manic state.

Internet psychoeducation for bipolar affective disorder: basis for preparation and first experiences

There is growing evidence that patients with bipolar affective disorder (BAD), who use medication, respond well to further psychotherapeutic interventions. Internet-based psychoeducation is typically centered on the interaction between a client and therapist via the Internet. Multiple methods were required to investigate existing psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic strategies used on patients suffering from BAD. Systematic reviews and original reports of all trials of psychoeducation in BAD patients were retrieved. Patients with BAD, who were hospitalized in a psychiatric department or attended a day hospital program, were exposed to the first version of the program during the treatment, and then questioned about understandability, comprehensibility, and usefulness of each lecture. Twelve modules of the Internet E-Program for BAD were developed and the intervention was a pilot tested with twelve patients. Internet psychoeducation program for BAD is an intervention designed for universal implementation that addresses heightened learning needs of patients suffering from BAD. It is designed to promote confidence and reduce the number of episodes of the disorder by providing skills in monitoring warning signs, planning daily activities and practicing communication skills.

Prevalence, chronicity, burden and borders of bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder (BD) has traditionally been thought of as an episodic condition, characterized by periods of hypomania/mania and depression. However, evidence is accumulating to suggest that this condition is associated with significant chronicity. For a large proportion of patients with BD, residual, sub-syndromal symptoms persist between major syndromal episodes, and studies have shown that many patients with bipolar disorder are symptomatic for approximately 50% of the time over follow-up periods of greater than 10 years. Moreover, while the prevalence of BD has been estimated to be around 1-2%, there is growing evidence that this may be a substantial underestimation. There are a number of reasons for this potential underestimation, including difficulties in diagnosis. Adding to the burden of BD is the issue of comorbidity, with an increased prevalence of many chronic conditions in those with a primary diagnosis of BD. Conversely, for many patients with chronic conditions, both medical and psychiatric, BD frequently exists as a comorbid secondary diagnosis. This issue of comorbidity complicates estimates of use of pharmaceutical agents for BD, such as mood stabilizers, which are known to be used off-label in conditions such as borderline personality or substance use disorder. We speculate that such off-label prescribing may not be truly off-label but may be instead fully justified by an overlooked secondary diagnosis of BD. Finally, we discuss the association of bipolar disorder with a significant economic burden, to the individual and to society, both due to the direct costs of medical expenditure and indirect costs such as loss of productivity and increased mortality.

Clinical and demographic features associated with the detection of early warning signs in bipolar disorder

AIM

The detection of early warning signs is a major component of many psychological interventions for assisting in the management of bipolar disorder. The aim of this study was to assess whether the ability to detect early warning signs was associated with clinical and demographic characteristics in a bipolar disorder clinic sample.

METHOD

Two-hundred-and-one participants with DSM-IV bipolar I or II disorder aged over 18 years of age were recruited through a specialized bipolar disorder clinic. Participants were administered a structured interview by psychiatrists asking participants about any early warning signs, and features of the phenomenology, course and treatment of bipolar disorder.

RESULTS

Participants were significantly more likely to recognise both hypo/manic and depressive early warning signs rather than only one type of mood episode. The ability to detect signs of both hypo/mania and depression was greater in younger participants. The ability to detect signs of depression was associated with more prior depressive episodes and a lesser likelihood of prior hospitalisations whilst a history of mixed mood was associated with a greater likelihood of detecting depressive symptoms. The ability to recognise signs of hypo/mania was greater in those reporting a history of visual hallucinations (during depressive and/or manic episodes).

LIMITATIONS

Cross-sectional design and previous experience with psychotherapy was not assessed.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide useful clinical data pertinent to psychological interventions for bipolar disorder. Longitudinal studies are needed to further examine how the ability to recognise early warning signs may be associated with longer term outcome.

Detection of prodromal symptoms of relapse in mania and unipolar depression by relatives and patients

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Detection of prodromal symptoms among patients with mania by their immediate relatives has been seldom examined. We carried out this study to examine the ability to detect and report prodromol symptoms of manic relapses by patients themselves and their relatives.

METHODS

The ability of patients and their relatives to detect prodromal symptoms was examined among 60 remitted patients, 30 each with DSM-IV diagnoses of bipolar disorder and recurrent depressive disorder, with recent manic/depressive relapses, and their 60 immediate relatives, using an instrument composed of items from common symptom-scales, as well as by unstructured interview.

RESULTS

Seventy per cent of patients with mania reported prodromes prior to relapse. This was significantly (P<0.01) less than the proportion of their relatives (97%), as well as the proportion of patients with unipolar depression (93%), reporting prodromal symptoms (P<0.05) among patients. Mean duration of the prodromal period reported by patients with mania was about 20 days (median-10 days); relatives reported durations which were longer by about 5 days. Prodromes of unipolar depression (mean 42.7 days; median- 21 days), were significantly longer than of mania, when reported by patients, but not by their relatives. Differences in reporting of prodromes, between relatives and patients seen in mania, were not observed in unipolar depression. The number and type of prodromal symptoms of mania reported was similar among patients and relatives.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS

Our findings showed that relatives of patients with mania were better at detecting prodromes of relapse; thus, input from relatives can improve the early detection of prodromal symptoms to prevent relapses of bipolar disorder.

Family caregiving in bipolar disorder: caregiver consequences, caregiver coping styles, and caregiver distress

AIMS

This study investigated the consequences caregivers of outpatients with bipolar disorder are confronted with, the distress they experience and their coping styles.

METHODS

Caregivers (n = 115) were asked to complete the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire (IEQ) to measure caregivers' consequences, the Utrecht Coping List (UCL) to measure caregivers' coping styles, and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) to measure caregiver distress. Scale (sub)scores were calculated and relationships between the results were explored.

RESULTS

Caregiver consequences were found to be limited, although approximately 30% reported distress. Male caregivers used a more avoiding coping style and undertook activities to provide diversion. Female caregivers used a less active approach and sought less social support. Correlations were found between the IEQ overall score and its subscales 'tension' and 'worrying' and the UCL subscales 'palliative reaction pattern' and 'passive reaction pattern'. Distress appears to occur more often in caregivers who report more consequences, tend to use a more avoiding coping style, and have a more passive reaction pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians should assess symptoms of caregiver distress. When caregiver distress is noticed, efforts should be undertaken to support the caregiver and teach them skills to cope effectively with the consequences they experience in order to stay well.

The role of circadian clock genes in mental disorders

The study of molecular clock mechanisms in psychiatric disorders is gaining significant interest due to data suggesting that a misalignment between the endogenous circadian system and the sleep-wake cycle might contribute to the clinical status of patients suffering from a variety of psychiatric disorders. Sleep disturbances in major depressive disorder (MDD) are characterized by increased sleep latency, poorer sleep efficiency, reduced latency to the first rapid eye movement (REM) sleep episode, and early-morning awakening, but there is little data to indicate a role of circadian clock genes in MDD. There is also relatively little information regarding the role of clock genes in anxiety. In contrast, a significant amount of evidence gathered in bipolar disorder (BPD) patients suggests a circadian rhythm disorder, namely an advanced circadian rhythm and state-dependent alterations of REM sleep latency. Most research on the role of clock genes in BPD has focused on polymorphisms of CLOCK, but the lithium target GSK3 may also play a significant role. A circadian phase shift is also theorized to contribute to the pathophysiology of winter seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Certain allelic combinations of NPAS2, PER3, and BMAL1 appear to contribute to the risk of SAD. In chronic shizophrenia, disturbances of sleep including insomnia and reduced sleep efficiency have been observed. Genetic studies have found associations with CLOCK, PER1, PER3, and TIMELESS. Sleep and circadian changes associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease suggest a functional change in the circadian master clock, which is supported by postmortem studies of clock gene expression in the brain.