Study protocol of a multicenter randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and treatment as usual in bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Despite multiple pharmacological interventions, many people with bipolar disorder (BD) experience substantial residual mood symptoms, even in the absence of severe mood episodes, which have a negative impact on the course of illness and quality of life. Limited data are available on how to optimize treatment for BD, especially for those who suffer from persistent and residual depressive symptoms. Preliminary evidence suggests Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) as a psychological treatment option for BD. This study aims to investigate whether adding MBCT to treatment as usual (TAU) will result in symptomatic and functional improvements in adults with BD compared to TAU alone. METHODS/DESIGN: This study is a prospective, evaluator blinded, multicenter, randomized controlled trial of MBCT + TAU and TAU alone in 160 adults with bipolar type I and type II. Assessments will be conducted at baseline (T0), mid-treatment (Tmid), and at 3 (T1), 6 (T2), 9 (T3), 12 (T4), and 15 (T5) months follow-up. Primary outcome is post-treatment severity of depressive symptoms (Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology- Clinician administered). Secondary outcomes are severity of (hypo) manic symptoms, anxiety, relapse rates, overall functioning, positive mental health, and cost-effectiveness. As possible mediators will be assessed rumination of negative affect, dampening and rumination of positive affect, mindfulness skills, and self-compassion. DISCUSSION: This study will provide valuable insight into the (cost-)effectiveness of MBCT on clinician- and self-rated symptoms of BD, relapse rates, positive mental health, and overall functioning. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03507647 . Registered 25th of April 2018.

[Prevalence and recognition of bipolarity in patients with a treatment-resistant depressive disorder: a systematic review]. / Prevalentie en herkenning van bipolariteit bij patiënten met een therapieresistente depressieve stoornis; een systematische review.

BACKGROUND: Studies have indicated an association between treatment refractoriness in unipolar depression and unrecognised bipolar spectrum disorder (bsd). If confirmed, this may have implications for diagnosis and treatment.
AIM: To provide an overview on the prevalence and recognition of bsd in treatment resistant depression (trd).
METHOD: A search was made in PubMed concerning the prevalence of bsd in trd and clinical features that may be suggestive of bipolar depression.
RESULTS: Three articles were found that examined the prevalence of bsd in trd; they reported that 26-47% of patients with trd had an underlying bsd. Five cross-sectional studies described the predictors of clinical features in patients with a major depression. The following features occurred significantly more often: positive family history of bsd, young age of onset, higher number of recurrences, and atypical features.
CONCLUSION: There seems to be an association between trd and having an underlying bsd. A few clinical features may help to detect bsd in trd.

[Earlier recognition of bipolar disorder - necessity and advice for clinical practice]. / Tijdige herkenning van bipolaire stoornissen; noodzaak en praktijkadviezen.

BACKGROUND: There is an average 10-year delay in diagnosing bipolar disorder, hampering the application of effective therapeutic interventions.
AIM: To investigate factors contributing to early recognition.
METHOD: We give a stage-oriented overview of the opportunities for early recognition.
RESULTS: Recognition in stage 0 (at-risk) and stage 1 (prodromal) is yet impossible. In stage 2 (syndromal) there are opportunities for better recognition in patients presenting with depression by conducting a thorough (collateral) psychiatric assessment, family history and by applying additional screening tools. CONCLUSIONS There are opportunities for better recognition of bipolar disorder in the syndromal stage.