Relación del funcionamiento cognitivocon variables clínicas en pacientes con trastornobipolar tipo I / Relationship Between Cognitive Function and Clinical Features in Patients With Bipolar I Disorder

Introducción: Estudios previos indican que la gravedad de las alteraciones de las funciones cognitivas de los diagnosticados de trastorno bipolar tipo I (TBI) están directamente relacionadas con el deterioro del funcionamiento general y la calidad de vida. Un funcionamiento cognitivo alterado se asocia con peor pronóstico del TBI, pero se conoce poco de la relación entre las funciones cognitivas y las características clínicas del TBI. Objetivo: Establecer posibles asociaciones entre el funcionamiento cognitivo y las características clínicas y sociodemográficas de los pacientes con TBI. Métodos: Se evaluó el funcionamiento cognitivo a través de la aplicación de una batería neuropsicológica a un grupo de pacientes con diagnóstico de TBI que se encontraran en ausencia de episodios afectivos durante al menos 6 meses, atendidos ambulatoriamente en la Clínica San Juan de Dios de Manizales. El análisis estadístico implicó la metodología de clasificación en clusters para dividirlos pacientes con mejor y peor funcionamiento cognitivo, y después se correlacionó con las variables clínicas y sociodemográficas. Resultados: Se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el número de años de estudio y la edad de inicio del trastorno con alteraciones en el nivel de funcionamiento cognitivo (p = 0,002 y p = 0,017 respectivamente). No se encontraron asociaciones significativas con otras variables. Conclusiones: El inicio temprano de la afección y un menor número de años de estudio serían factores de riesgo asociados con un peor funcionamiento cognitivo de los pacientes con TBI.

Introduction: Previous studies suggest that the severity of alterations in cognitive functions in people with a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder (BP-I) are directly related to the deterioration in overall functioning and life quality. Altered cognitive function is associated with a worse prognosis of BP-I, however little is known about the relationship between cognitive functions and the clinical features of BP-I. Objective: To establish possible associations between cognitive function and the clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of patients with BP-I. Methods: Cognitive function was evaluated by applying a neuropsychological battery to a group of patients with a BP-I diagnosis, who did not have affective episodes for at least 6 months, and who were outpatients treated at the San Juan de Dios Clinic in Manizales. The statistical analysis involved using clustering methodology in order to divide those patients with the best and worst cognitive function and it was later correlated with the clinical and socio-demographic variables. Results: A statistically significant corrrelation was found between the number of years of education and the age the disorder started with alterations in the level of cognitive function (P=.002 and P=.017 respectively). No significant correlations were found with other variables. Conclusions: An early onset of the pathology and fewer years of education seems to be risk factors associated with poorer cognitive function in patients with BP-I.

Relationship Between Cognitive Function and Clinical Features in Patients With Bipolar I Disorder. / Relación del funcionamiento cognitivo con variables clínicas en pacientes con trastorno bipolar tipo I.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies suggest that the severity of alterations in cognitive functions in people with a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder (BP-I) are directly related to the deterioration in overall functioning and life quality. Altered cognitive function is associated with a worse prognosis of BP-I, however little is known about the relationship between cognitive functions and the clinical features of BP-I. OBJECTIVE: To establish possible associations between cognitive function and the clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of patients with BP-I. METHODS: Cognitive function was evaluated by applying a neuropsychological battery to a group of patients with a BP-I diagnosis, who did not have affective episodes for at least 6 months, and who were outpatients treated at the San Juan de Dios Clinic in Manizales. The statistical analysis involved using clustering methocology in order to divide those patients with the best and worst cognitive function and it was later correlated with the clinical and socio-demographic variables. RESULTS: A statistically significant corrrelation was found between the number of years of education and the age the disorder started with alterations in the level of cognitive function (P=.002 and P=.017 respectively). No significant correlations were found with other variables. CONCLUSIONS: An early onset of the pathology and fewer years of education seems to be risk factors associated with poorer cognitive function in patients with BP-I.