Association of childhood trauma and genetic variability of CRH-BP and FKBP5 genes with suicidal behavior in bipolar patients.

BACKGROUND: Around 8% of bipolar disorder (BD) patients die by suicide every year, accounting for the highest rate among the psychiatric population. Suicidal behavior (SB) is mediated by an intertwining system of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Childhood trauma (CT) and gene variants of the stress-management hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis have been reported as risk factors for SB. The aim of this study was to elucidate the association of CT and HPA axis genetic variants with SB. METHODS: 135 BD patients were recruited for clinical assessment of CT and SB by means of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), respectively. A total of 28 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 8 HPA axis genes (POMC, NR3C2, CRH-BP, NR3C1, FKBP5, CRHR2, CRHR1, and MC2R) were genotyped. RESULTS: The analyses showed an association of total CTQ score (p = 0.003), emotional abuse (p = 0.001), sexual abuse (p = 0.005) and emotional neglect (p = 0.005) with SB. CRH-BP rs7728378-C carriers (p = 0.004; OR = 3.05), FKBP5 rs3777747-AA (p = 0.039; OR = 0.34) and FKBP5 rs2766533-GG genotypes (p = 0.001; OR = 2.93) were associated with SB although only rs2766533 survived multiple test correction. No gene-environment interaction was found. LIMITATIONS: The relatively small sample size limits the statistical power to detect smaller environmental and genetic effects. Cross-sectional data collection in psychometric assessments can yield biased data. CONCLUSIONS: The present study characterizes novel SB risk factors and replicates previous findings in BD patients. CT and variability in CRH-BP and FKBP5 genes should be further studied for a better understanding of SB and ultimately help in suicide prevention.

Social cognition in bipolar disorder: the role of sociodemographic, clinical, and neurocognitive variables in emotional intelligence.

OBJECTIVE: The main aims of this study were to examine the differences in the Emotional Intelligence (EI), the emotional domain of social cognition (SC), between euthymic patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and healthy controls (HC) and to evaluate the contribution of sociodemographic, clinical, and neuropsychological variables to EI. METHODS: We recruited 202 patients with BD and 50 HC. EI was evaluated using the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). The sociodemographic, clinical, and neurocognitive variables that showed a significant association with EI were entered into hierarchical multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: BD patients obtained significantly lower scores compared to HC in the Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EIQ) and in the Understanding Emotions branch score. The best fitting model for the variables associated with EI in the patients group was a linear combination of gender, estimated IQ, family history of affective diagnosis, and executive function. The model, including these previous variables, explained up to 27.6% of the observed variance (R2  = 0.276, F = 16.406, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The identification of variables associated with deficit in EI, such as male gender, lower estimated IQ, family history of affective diagnosis. and lower executive function performance, may help in selecting treatment targets to improve SC, and especially EI, in patients with BD.

Association between completed suicide and bipolar disorder: A systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Completed suicide is a major cause of death in bipolar disorder (BD) patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to provide an overall review of the existing literature of completed suicide in BD patients, including clinical and genetic data DATA SOURCES: We performed a systematic review of English and non-English articles published on MEDLINE/PubMed, PsycInfo and Cochrane database (1970-2017). Additional studies were identified by contacting clinical experts, searching bibliographies, major textbooks and website of World Health Organization. Initially we did a broad search for the association of bipolar disorder and suicide and we were narrowing the search in terms included "bipolar disorder" and "completed suicide". STUDY SELECTION: Inclusion criteria were articles about completed suicide in patients with BD. Articles exclusively focusing on suicide attempts and suicidal behaviour have been excluded. We used PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) consensus for drafting this systematic review. RESULTS: The initial search generated 2806 articles and a total of 61 meeting our inclusion criteria. We reviewed epidemiological data, genetic factors, risk factors and treatment of completed suicide in BD. Suicide rates in BD vary between studies but our analyses show that they are approximately 20-30-fold greater than in general population. The highest risk of successful suicide was observed in BD-II subjects. The heritability of completed suicide is about 40% and some genes related to major neurotransmitter systems have been associated with suicide. Lithium is the only treatment that has shown anti-suicide potential. LIMITATIONS: The most important limitation of the present review is the limited existing literature on completed suicide in BD. CONCLUSIONS: BD patients are at high risk for suicide. It is possible to identify some factors related to completed suicide, such as early onset, family history of suicide among first-degree relatives, previous attempted suicides, comorbidities and treatment. However it is necessary to promote research on this serious health problem.

Characterizing decision-making and reward processing in bipolar disorder: A cluster analysis.

The presence of abnormalities in emotional decision-making and reward processing among bipolar patients (BP) has been well rehearsed. These disturbances are not limited to acute phases and are common even during remission. In recent years, the existence of discrete cognitive profiles in this psychiatric population has been replicated. However, emotional decision making and reward processing domains have barely been studied. Therefore, our aim was to explore the existence of different profiles on the aforementioned cognitive dimensions in BP. The sample consisted of 126 euthymic BP. Main sociodemographic, clinical, functioning, and neurocognitive variables were gathered. A hierarchical-clustering technique was used to identify discrete neurocognitive profiles based on the performance in the Iowa Gambling Task. Afterward, the resulting clusters were compared using ANOVA or Chi-squared Test, as appropriate. Evidence for the existence of three different profiles was provided. Cluster 1 was mainly characterized by poor decision ability. Cluster 2 presented the lowest sensitivity to punishment. Finally, cluster 3 presented the best decision-making ability and the highest levels of punishment sensitivity. Comparison between the three clusters indicated that cluster 2 was the most functionally impaired group. The poorest outcomes in attention, executive function domains, and social cognition were also observed within the same group. In conclusion, similarly to that observed in "cold cognitive" domains, our results suggest the existence of three discrete cognitive profiles concerning emotional decision making and reward processing. Amongst all the indexes explored, low punishment sensitivity emerge as a potential correlate of poorer cognitive and functional outcomes in bipolar disorder.

Clinical features, impulsivity, temperament and functioning and their role in suicidality in patients with bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to analyse sociodemographic and clinical differences between non-suicidal (NS) bipolar patients (BP), BP reporting only suicidal ideation (SI) and BP suicide attempters according to Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SRSS) criteria. Secondarily, we also investigated whether the C-SRSS Intensity Scale was associated with emergence of suicidal behaviour (SB). METHOD: A total of 215 euthymic bipolar out-patients were recruited. Semistructured interviews including the C-SRSS were used to assess sociodemographic and clinical data. Patients were grouped according to C-SRSS criteria: patients who scored ≤1 on the Severity Scale were classified as NS. The remaining patients were grouped into two groups: 'patients with history of SI' and 'patients with history of SI and SB' according to whether they did or did not have a past actual suicide attempt respectively. RESULTS: Patients from the three groups differed in illness onset, diagnosis, number of episodes and admissions, family history, comorbidities, rapid cycling and medication, as well as level of education, functioning, impulsivity and temperamental profile. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that increased impulsivity, higher rates of psychiatric admissions and a reported poor controllability of SI significantly increased the risk for suicidal acts among patients presenting SI.

Risk factors for suicide in schizophrenia: systematic review and clinical recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors associated with suicide of patients with schizophrenia and provide clinical recommendations, which integrate research findings into a consensus based on clinical experience and evidence. METHOD: A task force formed of experts and clinicians iteratively developed consensus through serial revisions using the Delphi method. Initial survey items were based on systematic literature review published up to June 2013. RESULTS: Various risk factors were reported to be implicated in suicide in schizophrenia. Our findings indicate that suicide risk in schizophrenia is mainly related to affective symptoms, history of a suicide attempt and number of psychiatric admissions. Other risk factors identified are given by younger age, closeness to illness onset, older age at illness onset, male sex, substance abuse and period during or following psychiatric discharge. Integrating the evidence and the experience of the task force members, a consensus was reached on 14 clinical recommendations. CONCLUSION: Identification of risk factors for suicide in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia is imperative to improve clinical management and develop strategies to reduce the incidence of suicide in this population. This study provides the critical overview of available data and clinical recommendations on recognition and management of the above-mentioned risk factors.

Genetic variability at IMPA2, INPP1 and GSK3ß increases the risk of suicidal behavior in bipolar patients.

Bipolar patients (BP) are at high risk of suicide. Causal factors underlying suicidal behavior are still unclear. However, it has been shown that lithium has antisuicidal properties. Genes involved in its putative mechanism of action such as the phosphoinositol and the Wnt/ß-catenine pathways could be considered candidates for suicidal behavior (SB). Our aim was to investigate the association of the IMPA1 and 2, INPP1, GSK3α and ß genes with suicidal behavior in BP. 199 BP were recruited. Polymorphisms at the IMPA1 (rs915, rs1058401 and rs2268432) and IMPA2 (rs66938, rs1020294, rs1250171 and rs630110), INPP1 (rs3791809, rs4853694 and 909270), GSK3α (rs3745233) and GSK3ß (rs334558, rs1732170 and rs11921360) genes were genotyped. All patients were grouped and compared according to the presence or not of history of SB (defined as the presence of at least one previous suicidal attempt). Single SNP analyses showed that suicide attempters had higher frequencies of AA genotype of the rs669838-IMPA2 and GG genotype of the rs4853694-INPP1gene compared to non-attempters. Results also revealed that T-allele carriers of the rs1732170-GSK3ß gene and A-allele carriers of the rs11921360-GSK3ß gene had a higher risk for attempting suicide. Haplotype analysis showed that attempters had lower frequencies of A:A haplotype (rs4853694:rs909270) at the INPP1 gene. Higher frequencies of the C:A haplotype and lower frequencies of the A:C haplotype at the GSK-3ß gene (rs1732170:rs11921360) were also found to be associated to SB in BP. Therefore, our results suggest that genetic variability at IMPA2, INPP1 and GSK3ß genes is associated with the emergence of SB in BP.

Parents with bipolar disorder: are disease characteristics good predictors of psychopathology in offspring?

PURPOSE: To investigate rates of psychopathology in the offspring of subjects with bipolar disorder (BP-offspring) compared to the offspring of healthy subjects (HC-offspring) in a Spanish sample and to study possible predictors of psychopathology in BP-offspring. SUBJECTS: Fifty BP-offspring from 36 families and 25 HC-offspring from 25 families. METHODS: Psychopathology was compared in BP-offspring and HC-offspring. Factors associated with DSM-IV axis I disorders in BP-offspring were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Half of BP-offspring fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for at least one axis I disorder with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (30%), anxiety disorders (14%) and affective disorders (10%) as the most frequent. After controlling for having more than one sibling in the study, the odds ratio for BP-offspring presenting an axis I disorder was 15.02 when a biological parent had bipolar disorder with a lifetime history of psychotic symptoms and 3.34 when one parent had bipolar II disorder. Moreover, a higher Global Assessment of Functioning score in the biological co-parent was associated with a significantly lower frequency of axis I disorders in BP-offspring. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Psychopathology in BP-offspring should be routinely assessed, with special emphasis on children from parents with specific disease characteristics (psychosis, BP II disorder) in order to establish an early diagnosis and appropriate interventions.

Impulsivity and functional impairment in bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Impulsivity is substantially higher in bipolar patients (BP) and may be associated with a more severe course of illness, but no studies have so far examined the relationship between impulsivity and functional outcome in BP. Our goal was to investigate the functional impact of trait-impulsivity in BP. METHODS: 138 euthymic BP were recruited. All patients were assessed using an interview based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID). The Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST) and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) were used to assess functional outcome and impulsivity, respectively. Seven multiple linear regressions, with each individual FAST subscale scores and overall FAST score as dependant variables, were conducted in order to evaluate the predictive role of trait-impulsivity on functional outcome. RESULTS: After a multiple linear regression model, with the FAST total score as dependent variable, we found that depressive symptoms (ß=1.580; p<0.001), number of hospitalizations (ß=0.837; p=0.019) and impulsivity (ß=0.319; p=0.004) were independently associated with overall functional impairment (F=6.854, df=9, p<0.001, adjusted R2=0.311). LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that impulsivity, as well as depressive symptoms and the number of hospitalizations, is associated with overall functional impairment in BP. The assessment and treatment of impulsivity may be useful in improving functional outcome in BP.

Subthreshold symptoms in bipolar disorder: impact on neurocognition, quality of life and disability.

OBJECTIVE: To provide empirical evidence of the effect of subthreshold symptomatology (both depressive and manic) on psychosocial functioning, neurocognition and quality of life in bipolar disorder. METHODS: A total of 133 participants were enrolled for this study (bipolar patients, n=103; healthy controls, n=30). Patients were divided into two groups according to their levels of subthreshold symptomatology: the subsyndromic group was constituted by those patients with upper levels of subthreshold symptomatology (HDRS≥4 and YMRS≥3) and the asymptomatic group represented the patients with lower scores (HDRS≤3 and YMRS≤2). All participants were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Moreover the patients answered the SF-36 (Quality of Life, QoL) and were interviewed with the WHODAS-2 (Psychosocial functioning and disability). One-way ANOVA were used in order to compare the differences between the three groups. RESULTS: The analyses revealed that both patients groups, albeit free of acute symptoms of mania or depression, differed in terms of functioning and disability assessed with the WHODAS-2. Specifically, the total global score of disability was higher for the subsyndromic group indicating more impairment (p=0.008). The same pattern of impairment was found for three of its domains: "understanding and communicating" (p=0.013); "self-care" (p=0.035) and "getting along with others" (p=0.024). The subsyndromic group also scored lower when compared to their counterparts in the Mental Component of QoL of the SF-36 (p=0.045). Finally, in the neuropsychological performance verbal learning and memory was found to be impaired regardless the levels of subthreshold symptomatology, suggesting that this variable is a robust indicator of neuropsychological impairment in BD patients. CONCLUSIONS: This report presents empirical data suggesting a moderate impact of subthreshold symptoms on functioning/disability and QoL and a discrete impact on neuropsychological impairment.

Impact of substance use on the physical health of patients with bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the impact of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis on metabolic profile and cardiovascular risk in bipolar patients. METHOD: Naturalistic, cross-sectional, multicenter Spanish study. Current use of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis was determined based on patient self-reports. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000 and the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute criteria, and cardiovascular risk using the Framingham and the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation functions. RESULTS: Mean age was 46.6 years, 49% were male. Substance use: 51% tobacco, 13% alcohol and 12.5% cannabis. Patients who reported consuming any substance were significantly younger and a higher proportion was male. After controlling for confounding factors, tobacco was a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) (unstandardized linear regression coefficient 3.47, 95% confidence interval 1.85-5.10). CONCLUSION: Substance use, mainly tobacco, was common in bipolar patients. Tobacco use negatively impacted CHD risk.

[Efficacy and safety of long-acting injectable risperidone in maintenance phase of bipolar and schizoaffective disorder]. / Eficacia y sequridad de risperidona inyectable de larga duración en fase de mantenimiento del trastorno bipolar y esquizoafectivo.

INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to evaluate treatment safety, tolerability, efficacy and compliance of long-acting injectable risperidone (LAIR) as maintenance treatment in a bipolar and schizoaffective inpatients sample with torpid course due to poor compliance to oral therapy. METHODS: 22 inpatients, 14 with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and 8 with a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, were included in this study. They were treated with LAIR, 1 dose every 14 days, and were evaluated for 40 weeks with the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Hamilton Scale for Depression (HAM-D), UKU-Side Effect Rating Scale and Clinical Global Impression Severity of Illness scales (CGI). RESULTS: Average YMRS scores were reduced significantly from 10.5 at baseline interview to 2.5 at week 40 (p < 0.001). HAM-D and UKU scales did not reach a statistically significant reduction. CGI-S scores were reduced from 3.8 at baseline to 1.5 at week 40 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: LAIR could be an effective maintenance therapy for bipolar and schizoaffective patients with poor compliance to oral treatment.

Eficacia y seguridad de risperidona inyectable de larga duración en fase de mantenimiento del trastorno bipolar y esquizoafectivo / Efficacy and safety of long-acting injectable risperidone in maintenance phase of bipolar and schizoaffective disorder

Introducción. Este estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar la seguridad, tolerabilidad, eficacia y cumplimiento del tratamiento utilizando una formulación de risperidona inyectable de larga duración (RILD) como terapia de mantenimiento en un grupo de pacientes bipolares y esquizoafectivos con evolución tórpida debido a una mala adherencia al tratamiento por vía oral. Metodología. Veintidós pacientes, 14 de ellos con diagnóstico de trastorno bipolar y 8 con diagnóstico de trastorno esquizoafectivo, fueron incluidos en este estudio. Recibieron una inyección de RILD cada 14 días y fueron evaluados durante 40 semanas utilizando la Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), la Hamilton Scale for Depression (HAM-D), la Udvalg Für KliniskeUndersogesles (UKU) y las Clinical Global Impression-Scales (CGI). Resultados. Las puntuaciones de la YMRS se redujeron significativamente de 10,5 (promedio) en la entrevista basal a 2,5 (promedio) en la semana 40 (p < 0,001). En las puntuaciones de la HAM-D no hubo variación estadísticamente significativa, así como tampoco en las de la escala UKU para efectos adversos. Las puntuaciones en la escala CGI-S se redujeron de3,8 (entrevista basal) a 1,5 (semana 40) (p < 0,001). Conclusiones. RILD podría ser eficaz como tratamiento de mantenimiento en pacientes bipolares y esquizoafectivos con particular dificultad para adherirse de manera adecuada al tratamiento por vía oral (AU)

Introduction. Our aim was to evaluate treatment safety, tolerability, efficacy and compliance of long-acting injectable risperidone (LAIR) as maintenance treatment in a bipolar and schizoaffective inpatients sample with torpid course due to poor compliance to oral therapy. Methods. 22 inpatients, 14 with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and 8 with a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, were included in this study. They were treated with LAIR, 1 dose every 14 days, and were evaluated for40 weeks with the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Hamilton Scale for Depression (HAM-D), UKU-Side Effect Rating Scale and Clinical Global Impression Severity of Illness scales (CGI). Results. Average YMRS scores were reduced significantly from 10.5 at baseline interview to 2.5 at week 40(p < 0.001). HAM-D and UKU scales did not reach a statistically significant reduction. CGI-S scores were reduced from 3.8 at baseline to 1.5 at week 40 (p < 0.001).Conclusions. LAIR could be an effective maintenance therapy for bipolar and schizoaffective patients with poor compliance to oral treatment (AU)

Group psychoeducation for stabilised bipolar disorders: 5-year outcome of a randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The long-term efficacy of psychological interventions for bipolar disorders has not been tested. AIMS: This study assessed the efficacy of group psychoeducation to prevent recurrences and to reduce time spent ill for people with bipolar disorders. METHOD: A randomised controlled trial with masked outcome assessment comparing group psychoeducation and non-structured group intervention during 5-year follow-up. One hundred and twenty people with bipolar disorders were included in the study and 99 completed 5-year follow-up. Time to any recurrence, number of recurrences, total number of days spent ill, frequency and length of hospitalisations were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: At the 5-year follow-up, time to any recurrence was longer for the psychoeducation group (log rank=9.953, P<0.002). The psychoeducation group had fewer recurrences (3.86 v. 8.37, F=23.6, P<0.0001) of any type and they spent less time acutely ill (154 v. 586 days, F=31.66, P=0.0001). The median number of days of hospitalisation per hospitalised participant was also lower for the psychoeducation group (45 v. 30, F=4.26, P=0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Six-month group psychoeducation has long-lasting prophylactic effects in individuals with bipolar disorders. Group psychoeducation is the first psychological intervention showing such a long-term maintained efficacy in people with bipolar disorders.

Cognitive impairment in schizoaffective disorder: a comparison with non-psychotic bipolar and healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE: Only a few studies have examined specifically the neuropsychological performance of schizoaffective patients. METHOD: The sample consisted of 34 euthymic DSM-IV schizoaffective patients, who were compared with 41 euthymic bipolar patients without history of psychotic symptoms and 35 healthy controls. Euthymia was defined by a score of 6 or less at the Young Mania Rating Scale and a score of 8 or less at the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale for at least 6 months. Patients were compared with several clinical, occupational, and neuropsychological variables such as executive function, attention, verbal and visual memory and the two groups were contrasted with 35 healthy controls on cognitive performance. The three groups were compared using mancova after checking the potential role of several co-variables. RESULTS: Schizoaffective patients showed greater impairment than controls and bipolar patients, in several domains, including verbal memory, executive function, and attentional measures. Bipolar patients without history of psychosis performed similar to the controls except for verbal fluency. CONCLUSION: Schizoaffective disorder carries more neurocognitive impairment than non-psychotic bipolar disorder and more occupational difficulties.

La terapia electroconsultiva en el tratamiento de la depresión bipolar / Electroconvulsive therapy in the treatment of bipolar depression

Desde su introducción la terapia electroconvulsiva es un tratamiento usado en los trastornos afectivos, especialmente en las fases depresivas del trastorno bipolar. El avance en su técnica lo ha convertido en una opción útil y actual tanto en el tratamiento de las fases agudas como en la prevención de las recurrencias. El objetivo de esta revisión es recoger la información disponible hasta la actualidad acerca del uso de la terapia electroconvulsiva en la depresión bipolar. Sus indicaciones, su eficacia, su predicción y su patrón de respuesta se incluyen en este trabajo, así como sus complicaciones, sus efectos adversos y sus interacciones farmacológicas. Asimismo también se recopilan las diferencias de respuesta entre la depresión bipolar y la unipolar

Since its introduction, electroconvulsive therapy is a treatment used in mood disorders, especially in the depressive phases of bipolar disorder. The advance of this technique has made it a useful and current option both in the treatment of acute phases as in the prevention of recurrences. The objective of this revision is to collect available data about the use of electroconvulsive therapy in bipolar depression. Its indications, effectiveness, prediction and patterns of response are included in this work, together with its complications, adverse events and drug interactions. Differences in response between bipolar and unipolar depression are also discussed

[Electroconvulsive therapy in the treatment of bipolar depression]. / La terapia electroconsultiva en el tratamiento de la depresión bipolar.

Since its introduction, electroconvulsive therapy is a treatment used in mood disorders, especially in the depressive phases of bipolar disorder. The advance of this technique has made it a useful and current option both in the treatment of acute phases as in the prevention of recurrences. The objective of this revision is to collect available data about the use of electroconvulsive therapy in bipolar depression. Its indications, effectiveness, prediction and patterns of response are included in this work, together with its complications, adverse events and drug interactions. Differences in response between bipolar and unipolar depression are also discussed.

What really matters to bipolar patients' caregivers: sources of family burden.

BACKGROUND: Identifying and modifying burdensome aspects might reduce the level of burden and their negative effects both on caregivers and patients' outcome. Most studies evaluate acutely ill patients, whereas the most relevant problems may be related to subthreshold symptoms and long-term outcome. The aims of the present study were to assess caregiver's subjective burden, to analyse which were the most burdensome aspects for caregivers and to study which variables could explain the caregiver's subjective burden. METHODS: Caregivers of 86 euthymic bipolar patients completed the subjective burden subscale from an adapted version of the Social Behaviour Assessment Schedule. RESULTS: Caregivers showed a moderate level of subjective burden. The highest levels of distress were reported regarding the patient's behaviour; the most distressing behaviours were hyperactivity, irritability, sadness and withdrawal. Regarding the patient's role performance, the most worrying aspects were those associated with the patient's work or study and social relationships. Regarding adverse effects on others, caregivers were especially distressed by the way the illness had affected their emotional health and their life in general. Poorer social and occupational functioning, an episode in the last 2 years, history of rapid cycling and the caregiver being responsible for medication intake explained a quarter of the variance of the caregiver's subjective burden. LIMITATIONS: This was a cross-sectional study focused only on primary caregivers, there was no control group of non-bipolar patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides relevant data concerning the burden of caregivers of stable bipolar patients, pointing at potential targets for psychosocial interventions.

Do cognitive complaints in euthymic bipolar patients reflect objective cognitive impairment?

BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, bipolar patients complain of cognitive deficits such as attentional or memory disturbances. The main aim of this study was to determine whether subjective cognitive complaints were associated with objective neuropsychological impairments. METHOD: Sixty euthymic bipolar patients were assessed through a neuropsychological battery. A structured clinical interview was used to determine subjective cognitive complaints in patients. Thirty healthy controls were also included in the study in order to compare the neuropsychological performance among groups. RESULTS: Bipolar patients with a higher number of episodes, especially the number of mixed episodes, longer duration of the illness and the onset of the illness at an earlier age showed more subjective complaints. Furthermore, bipolar patients with subjective complaints showed lower scores in several cognitive measures related to attention, memory and executive function compared with the control group. Nevertheless, patients without complaints also performed less well than controls in some neuropsychological measures. CONCLUSION: Bipolar patients who were aware of cognitive deficits were more chronic, had presented more previous episodes, especially mixed type, and their illness had started at an earlier age compared with patients who did not complain about cognitive problems. Moreover, patients with good cognitive insight also had a poorer social and occupational functioning as well as a poorer neuropsychological performance. However, the bipolar group without complaints also obtained lower scores in several tests compared with healthy controls. Cognitive status of bipolar patients should be routinely assessed, regardless of the patients awareness about their cognitive deficits.