Myelinolysis cases presenting with manic attack after rapid correction of hyponatremia: Two cases.

OBJECTIVE: Myelinolysis is a neurological condition that can display diverse psychiatric symptoms, with electrolyte imbalance, alcoholism and malnutrition being the frequent causes. Rapid correction of hyponatremia may trigger pontine and extra-pontine myelinolysis. CASES: This paper examines two cases: one of hyponatremia after antihypertensive use and the other of myelinolysis due to rapid correction of hyponatremia. Since myelinolysis appeared as a manic episode, the patients sought treatment at the psychiatry outpatient clinic. Further tests were conducted to rule out organic causes and the diagnosis was confirmed prior to referring the patients to the neurology clinic. CONCLUSION: Psychiatrists should be meticulous in excluding organic causes in first-episode mania and consider these possibilities in the differential diagnosis for the pertinent patient group.

Journeying with a bipolar disorder: The quest plot.

OBJECTIVE: Many with a bipolar disorder embark on a quest, most commonly during elevated mood states, and sometimes driven by a prescient delusion. This essay draws a parallel with a prominent literary plot - the Quest. METHOD: Reference to the literary plot is made and an exemplar provided, being based on the personal stories of several patients. RESULTS: Parallels between the literary model and the current vignette are emphasized. CONCLUSION: Manic prescience can sometimes be more than a delusion. The Quest is both a literary plot and at times may underlie manic behaviours and even illustrate its symbolic value.

Development and validation of a Manic Thought Inventory.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes the development and psychometric evaluation of the Manic Thought Inventory (MTI), a patient-driven self-report inventory to assess the presence of typical (hypo)manic cognitions. METHODS: The initial item pool was generated by patients with bipolar disorder (BD) type I and assessed for suitability by five psychiatrists specialized in treating BD. Study 1 describes the item analysis and exploratory factor structure of the MTI in a sample of 251 patients with BD type I. In study 2, the factor structure was validated with confirmatory factor analysis, and convergent and divergent validity were assessed in an independent sample of 201 patients with BD type I. RESULTS: Study 1 resulted in a 50-item version of the MTI measuring one underlying factor. Study 2 confirmed the essentially unidimensional underlying construct in a 47-item version of the MTI. Internal consistency of the 47-item version of the MTI was excellent (α = 0.97). The MTI showed moderate to large positive correlations with other measures related to mania. It was not correlated with measures of depression. CONCLUSION: The MTI showed good psychometric properties and can be useful in research and clinical practice. Patients could use the MTI to select items that they recognize as being characteristic of their (hypo)manic episodes. By monitoring and challenging these items, the MTI could augment current psychological interventions for BD.

Cannabis Use is an Independent Risk Factor for Manic Episode: A Report from 380,265 Bipolar Inpatients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the odds for bipolar disorder (BP) mania and depression-related hospitalization due to cannabis use disorders (CUD). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using the national inpatient sample (NIS), and included adult BP hospitalizations sub-grouped by manic (N = 209,785) versus depressive episodes (N = 170480). A logistic regression model was used to evaluate adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of association between CUD and BP-mania-related hospitalizations and was adjusted for demographics confounders, psychiatric comorbidities and other substance use disorders (SUD). RESULTS: Comorbidities were less prevalent in BP mania compared to BP depression: anxiety disorders (22.7% vs. 35.3%), PTSD (8.7% vs. 14.3%), and personality disorders (15.4% vs. 20.5%). Among SUD, methamphetamine (aOR 1.27, 95%CI 1.22 - 1.32) and CUD (aOR 1.53, 95%CI 1.50 - 1.56) had increased odds for hospitalization for BP mania. CONCLUSION: CUD increases the odds for hospitalization for BP manic episode by 53%. Due to the rising prevalence of cannabis use among patients with BP it is important to provide substance use counseling/psychoeducation and discourage cannabis use among youth to prevent long-term adverse consequences.

Comparison of effectiveness between Haloperidol and Quetiapine in acute manic episode.

This study was conducted to compare the response rate of Quetiapine and Haloperidol in patients with acute manic episodes. A total of 120 patients with acute episode of mania with baseline Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) of more than 20 were included and randomly allocated to either Quetiapine (Group A) or Haloperidol (Group B). Each patient was assessed at baseline. YMRS was administered at the start and at follow-up visit after six weeks. Comparison of response rate (>50% reduction in YMRS) was not statistically significant between the two groups (70% vs. 71.7%; p=0.410) after six weeks in acute manic episode. Quetiapine and Haloperidol emerged as equally effective pharmacological strategies for the treatment of bipolar mania. Quetiapine may be used as an alternative to conventional antipsychotics; Haloperidol can be used as replacement of Quetiapine as well, as it is of low cost.

Identifying Recent Manic Symptoms by Newly Discharged Patients with Bipolar Disorder.

Background: Bipolar disorder type I is a chronic and recurrent disease and is considered as the ninth nonfatal disease. Identifying the symptoms of the manic episode, which are more likely detected by patients, increases the ability of psychiatrists in diagnosing this disorder. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 96 patients with bipolar disorder were enrolled from 2 academic psychiatric centers. Then, using the patients' medical records, demographic data were collected. Further, both the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) interview and the Young mania rating scale (Y-MRS) scale were also performed. Then, about 27 to 33 days after discharge, the patients were contacted by phone and the SCID-I interview was conducted again. Meanwhile, to make the patients focus on the period from which they have recently improved, the phrase "the recent period of hospitalization" was added to the interview questions and the symptoms were checked. Results: At the beginning of the hospitalization, the most common symptom in the total population was irritable mood (89.5%): in the male population decreased need for sleep (98.2%), and in the female population irritable mood (97.5%). In addition, in the evaluation, about 1 month later, irritable mood (69.7%) and decreased need for sleep (67.7%) were the most common symptoms detected by the patients. In terms of the predictive value of each symptom to the diagnosis of that symptom by the psychiatrist, the highest positive predictive value was related to the symptoms of irritable mood (95.5%), decreased need for sleep (95.4%), and talkativeness (95.2%). However, the highest negative predictive value was related to the symptom of elevated mood (87.5%). Conclusion: The patients who have passed manic episodes are more able to detect some symptoms of this episode. Despite some limitations, it seems that using these statistical findings in practice may promote clinical assessment and diagnosis of bipolar disorder type I by psychiatrists.

A Population-Based, Nationwide Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder With Incident Dementia in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: Affective disorders are associated with increased risk of dementia, yet most studies focus on the association of major depressive disorder or depressive episodes of bipolar disorder with increased dementia risk. The association of manic/mixed episodes of bipolar disorder with increased dementia risk is unclear. PARTICIPANTS: Between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2009, 20,535 individuals aged 45-80 years with bipolar disorder and 82,140 age- and sex-matched comparisons were enrolled and followed up to December 2011 in Taiwan. Those who developed dementia (ICD-9-CM codes: 290.0-290.4, 294.1-294.2, and 331.0-331.2) during the follow-up period were identified. DESIGN AND METHODS: Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the relationship between manic/mixed/depressive episodes of bipolar disorder and incident dementia. We also assessed the association between the frequency of psychiatric admissions (total, manic/mixed, and depressive episodes per year) for bipolar disorder and dementia risk. RESULTS: Bipolar disorder was associated with increased risk of incident dementia (hazard ratio [HR]: 7.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.86-8.25). Greater frequency of manic/mixed (>2/year: HR: 4.50, 3.50-5.79; 1-2/year: HR: 3.17, 2.31-4.36) and depressive episodes (>2/year: HR: 7.84, 5.93-10.36; 1-2/year: HR: 2.93, 2.05-4.19) were associated with increased risk of incident dementia. CONCLUSIONS: Not only depressive episode of bipolar disorder, but manic/mixed episodes of bipolar play a role as a risk factor of incident dementia, especially for those patients with more than two manic/mixed episodes per year. These findings remind the clinicians the importance of preventing the relapse of bipolar disorder for the potential subsequent cognitive decline and disease.

Examining the Influence of Social Support on Psychological Distress in a Canadian Population with Symptoms of Mania.

Individuals who experience symptoms of mania in the form of a manic episode (ME) are at a greater risk of experiencing psychological distress. Given that a ME is a period during which one can become extremely socially dysfunctional, the potential influence of social support is especially important to explore. The primary objective of this study was to examine whether perceived social support predicts psychological distress in a sample of Canadian adults who have self-reported ME symptoms within the last 12-months. Using a cross-sectional, national datafile, 220 Canadians between 20 and 64 years who met the criteria for a ME within the last 12-months were investigated using the Social Provisions Scale (SPS), and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Results indicated that the ME sample experienced significantly higher distress and significantly lower perceived social support than the adult Canadian population. Further, social support in the form of reassurance of worth was associated with lower levels of psychological distress, but only for the male ME sample, and the overall (male and female combined) ME sample. Despite some limitations, this study adds to the research on mania as its own experience outside of comorbidities and indicates the important and specific role social support plays in terms of psychological well-being.

Bipolar Disorder and Comorbid Borderline Personality Disorder: Patient Characteristics and Outcomes in US Hospitals.

Background and objectives: The quality of life and disease outcomes in bipolar patients, including increased risk of psychiatric hospitalizations and suicide, are adversely affected by the presence of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Our study aims to determine the impact of BPD on the inpatient outcomes of bipolar disorder patients. Methods: We used Nationwide Inpatient Sample from the US hospitals and identified cases with bipolar disorder and comorbid BPD (N = 268,232) and controls with bipolar disorder only (N = 242,379), using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, and Clinical Modification codes. We used multinomial logistic regression to generate odds ratios (OR) and evaluate inpatient outcomes. Results: The majority of the bipolar patients with BPD were female (84.2%), Caucasian (83.1%) and 18⁻35 years age (53.9%). Significantly longer inpatient stays, higher inpatient charges, and higher prevalence of drug abuse were noted in bipolar patients with BPD. The suicide risk was higher in bipolar patients with BPD (OR = 1.418; 95% CI 1.384⁻1.454; p <0.001). In addition, utilization of electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) was higher in bipolar patients with comorbid BPD (OR = 1.442; 95% CI 1.373⁻1.515; p <0.001). Conclusions: The presence of comorbid BPD in bipolar disorder is associated with higher acute inpatient care due to a longer inpatient stay and higher cost during hospitalization, and higher suicide risk, and utilization of ECT. Further studies in the inpatient setting are warranted to develop effective clinical strategies for optimal outcomes and reduction of suicide risk in bipolar patients with BPD.

Risk of recurrence after a single manic or mixed episode - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: For the first time to estimate the risk of recurrence among patients with a single manic/mixed episode by systematically reviewing prior studies on cohorts of adults, and cohorts of children and adolescents, respectively. METHODS: A systematic literature search up to August 2017 was carried out including studies in which < 25% of the participants were estimated to have had a mood episode that required pharmacological treatment prior to the index manic or mixed episode at inclusion. RESULTS: Three studies including a total of 293 adult patients with a single manic or mixed episode and three studies of children and adolescents including 126 patients were identified. In the adult studies, 31%, 40% and 42% experienced recurrence after recovery within 1 year, 59% after 2 years, and 58% after 4 years, respectively. In the studies on children and adolescents, 40% and 52% experienced recurrence after recovery within 1 year, 30% and 60% after 2 years and 64% and 67% after 4 to 5 years, respectively. Results from meta-analyses showed a 1-year rate of recurrence of 35% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 30-41%) in adults, and in adolescents/children, a 1-year rate of recurrence of 48% (95% CI: 38-58%), a 2-year rate of 46% (95% CI: 33-60%) and a 4-5-year rate of recurrence of 65% (95% CI: 52-77%; as data from different studies were included at 1, 2 and 5 years, rates of recurrence did not increase steadily with time). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of recurrence is high among adults as well as children and adolescents. It is important that clinicians and patients as well as relatives are well informed about these high risks when deciding to start maintenance treatment or not following onset of a single manic or mixed episode.

Efficacy and tolerability of lithium for the treatment of acute mania in children with bipolar disorder: A systematic review: A report from the ISBD-IGSLi joint task force on lithium treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of lithium for the treatment of acute mania in children and adolescent diagnosed with bipolar disorder. METHODS: A systematic literature search up to August 2017 was conducted for clinical trials that included lithium in males and females up to 18 years of age with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and experiencing a manic or mixed episode according to standardized diagnostic criteria. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42017055675). RESULTS: Four independent studies described in seven manuscripts met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 176 patients were treated with lithium either as a monotherapy or adjunct to risperidone. Efficacy results suggest that lithium may be superior to placebo (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.88 to 0.04), comparable to sodium divalproex (SMD -0.07, 95% CI: -0.31 to 0.18), but significantly less effective than risperidone for treating protracted manic/mixed episodes and comorbid attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in prepubertal children (SMD 0.85, 95% CI: 0.54 to 1.15). Lithium was not associated with serious adverse events, and was generally well tolerated with common side effects similar to those reported in adults. CONCLUSIONS: Limited data suggests that lithium may be an effective and tolerable treatment for some forms of paediatric mania. However, lithium is clearly inferior in efficacy to risperidone in prepubertal patients diagnosed with protracted manic/mixed episodes and comorbid ADHD. There is a lack of data concerning the efficacy and tolerability of lithium as an acute treatment for classical mania in adolescents and important clinical issues remain unaddressed.

Older men with bipolar disorder: Clinical associations with early and late onset illness.

OBJECTIVES: Older adults living with bipolar disorder (BD) include people with early and late onset of symptoms. This study aimed to clarify the cross-sectional and longitudinal clinical associations of BD with early and late onset. METHODS: Cohort study of 38 173 men aged 65-85 years followed for up to 17.6 years. We used the Western Australian Data Linkage System to establish the presence of BD, as well as diabetes, cardiovascular and renal diseases, cancer, respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases, alcohol use disorder, dementia, and mortality. The causes of death were recorded according to the International Classification of Diseases. We defined late onset BD using 2 different cut-points: 50 and 60 years. RESULTS: The prevalence of medical morbidities was greater among participants with than without BD, and cardiovascular diseases were more frequent among those with onset before than after 50 years (odds ratio = 1.72, 95% confidence interval = 1.01, 2.94). Bipolar disorder was associated with increased hazard ratio of dementia and death, but there was no difference between early and late onset participants. Death by suicide or accidents occurred exclusively among BD participants with illness onset <60 years, whereas death associated with strokes and neurodegenerative diseases was more frequent among those with illness onset ≥60 years than in the general population (HR = 2.28, 95% confidence interval = 1.34, 3.88). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the clinical associations and outcomes of older adults living with BD are not markedly influenced by age of onset. However, mortality data suggest that differences between older adults with BD onset before and after age 60 years should continue to be explored.

Exploring the relationship between vitamin D and mania: correlations between serum vitamin D levels and disease activity.

BACKGROUND: Several studies suggest an association between hypovitaminosis D and mood disorders including major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. On the other hand, there is not enough study about acute manic episode and hypovitaminosis D. This data insufficient zone led us to study on whether vitamin D deficiency is associated with acute manic episode and has an impact on disease activity Methods: Thirty-one patients with bipolar disorder in remission, 26 patients with acute manic episode and 40 healthy controls with no major psychopathology were recruited in this study. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and the Clinical Global Impression - Severety scale (CGI-S) were used to evaluate disease activity. Total vitamin D (D2 + D3) values were measured. RESULTS: Patients in acute manic episode had significantly lower (p = .002) vitamin D serum concentrations than healthy controls (respectively 15.16 ± 7.48 and 22.31 ± 8.8) but remission group's serum concentrations (18.40 ± 7.30) did not differ significantly from healthy controls or acute manic episode patients (p > .05). We observed negative and moderate correlations between vitamin D levels and YMRS scores (r: -0.641, p < .001), vitamin D levels and CGI scores (r: -0.559, p= .003). CONCLUSIONS: Our results contribute to the idea that vitamin D deficiency and acute manic episode may have interactions with many pathways. Future trials may investigate this association with longer follow up. We recommend that serum vitamin D levels should be measured in patients with bipolar disorder especially in long term care.

Breast leptomeningeal metastasis recurrence presenting as a manic episode.

OBJECTIVE: Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a neurooncological complication of advanced cancer that has a poor prognosis. The incidence of LM is increasing due to advances in neuroimaging. At the same time, the development of new systemic treatments with poor central nervous system penetration has improved outcomes and survival. However, diagnosis of LM remains quite difficult due to clinical polymorphism, inconsistent imaging abnormalities, and the inconsistent presence of neoplastic cells in cerebrospinal fluid. Psychiatric manifestations can blur the neurological frame and confound management of this complication. METHOD: To illustrate these difficulties, we report the case of a patient with no past psychiatric history who presented with a manic episode that was attributed to a recurrence of leptomeningeal metastasis. RESULTS: With this case report, we highlight the importance of referring the patient to a psychiatrist or a member of the psychooncology unit when new behavioral disorders present. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Leptomeningeal metastases can elicit psychiatric consequences. A hypothesis of this diagnosis should be considered for cancer patients who present with sudden or recent profound mental changes during the course of their disease. Oncologists and neurooncologists should be aware of this possibility. Collaboration with a psychooncologist is recommended to better manage this neuropsychiatric pathology.

[Antibiomania: Think of the manic syndrome secondary to antibiotic therapy]. / Antibiomania : penser au syndrome maniaque secondaire à une antibiothérapie.

INTRODUCTION: Antibiomania is characterized by the emergence of a manic episode in reaction to antibiotics. Although relatively uncommon, this kind of side effect is observed in a growing number of cases and mostly occurs in patients who do not have a history of bipolar disorder. Several dozen cases have been reported showing the onset of manic symptoms after taking antibiotics. The antibiotic most frequently involved is clarithromycin. CLINICAL CASE: We report the case of a 61-year-old patient who presented a manic episode after taking an antibiotic combination to treat Helicobacter pylori. Five days after the start of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), behavioral problems appeared (aggressiveness, irritability, talkativeness, insomnia). At the time of hospitalization, she had an acute delusional symptomatology, with a theme of persecution, associated with intuitive, interpretive and imaginative mechanisms. Manic symptoms were obvious: psychomotor excitement, aggressiveness and irritability, flight of ideas, verbal disinhibition and a denial of problems. There was no toxic cause. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was normal. Her condition improved very quickly and delusions disappeared in four days. Mrs. H. could critic her delirium and recovered a euthymic state. During hospitalization, treatment divalproate sodium was introduced (250mg, 3 times a day), was maintained following hospital discharge for 2 years for prevention, and then decreased to the stop. There are currently no further behavioral problems or sleep disorders two years after this episode. DISCUSSION: Facing this clinical case, several questions arise: Which drug therapy is the most suitable for this type of mental disorder? Are there predictors of antibiomania? Is there a risk of recurrence of mood episodes following an antibiomania that occurs spontaneously? What are the pathophysiological mechanisms that could explain this reaction? In all cases identified, stopping the antibiotics was decisive. However, the introduction of a psychotropic and the duration of this treatment remain unclear. First, longitudinal follow-up would assess this variable. Second, it is unclear whether the presence of personal psychiatric history is a predictor of antibiomania. Finally, there are several hypotheses to explain antibiomania: the competitive effect of GABAergic inhibitory receptors, seizure-like phenomena that mimic psychiatric symptoms, and disruption of the intestinal microbiota by antibiotics leading to a modification of the functioning of the central nervous system. The explanatory model of antibiomania is not yet known and requires further research.

Antipsychotic adjunctive therapy to mood stabilizers and 1-year rehospitalization rates in bipolar disorder: A cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Antipsychotic adjunctive therapy to mood stabilizers (MSs) may improve relapse prevention; however, only a few naturalistic studies, reflecting more generalizable bipolar disorder (BD) samples, support this notion. We compared the 1-year rehospitalization rates of manic patients with bipolar I disorder (BD-I) who were discharged with MS (lithium or valproate) monotherapy or with adjunctive atypical or typical antipsychotic therapy. METHODS: A total of 201 patients with BD-I who were hospitalized with manic episodes between 2005 and 2013 were retrospectively followed for 1-year rehospitalization rates according to treatment at discharge: MS monotherapy, MS with atypical antipsychotics, and MS with typical antipsychotics. Additionally, time to rehospitalization during the 1-year period after discharge was compared between treatment groups. Multivariable survival analyses adjusted for covariates known to influence rehospitalization were conducted. RESULTS: Rehospitalization rates within 1 year were significantly lower in the MS with atypical antipsychotics group (6.3%) compared to the MS monotherapy group (24.3%, P=.008) and to the MS with typical antipsychotics group (20.6%, P=.02). Time to rehospitalization was significantly longer for the MS with atypical antipsychotics group (345.5 days) compared to the MS monotherapy group (315.1 days, P=.006) and to the MS with typical antipsychotics group (334.1 days, P=.02). The MS with atypical antipsychotics group had a significantly reduced adjusted risk of rehospitalization (hazard ratio=0.17, 95% confidence interval: 0.05-0.61, P=.007) compared to the MS monotherapy group. CONCLUSIONS: Atypical antipsychotic adjunctive therapy to MSs may be more effective than MS monotherapy in preventing rehospitalization during the 1-year period after a BD manic episode.

A comparison of pattern of psychiatric symptoms in inpatients with bipolar disorder type one with & without methamphetamine use.

Background: Iran is facing an outbreak of methamphetamine-induced disorders and frequent use of these substances in patients with bipolar disorder. Using or intoxication of methamphetamine in patients with bipolar I disorder may alter the patient's clinical profile; however there is limited studies about impact of methamphetamine on clinical manifestation of bipolar disorders. This study aimed to compare psychiatric symptoms in patients with bipolar I disorder with and without concomitant use of methamphetamine. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, psychiatric symptoms of bipolar I disorder in patients with (Meth+) and without (Meth-) methamphetamine use was evaluated. A number of 57 participants with Meth + and 50 subjects with Meth- were recruited. The clinical picture of bipolar disorder was investigated by Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), 17-item Hamilton Depressive Rating Scale (HDRS-17) and the Scale for Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS). Statistical comparisons were performed using the T-test for independent samples and Mann- Whitney test. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between two groups regarding age, duration of illness and hospitalizations. However, male participants were significantly higher in Meth+ group than in Meth- one (p<0.001). The mean (± SD) scores in the two groups of Meth+ and Meth- for YMRS, HDRS, and SAPS were 31.3 (±1.3) and 34.0 (±1.2), 13.7 (±0.7) and 13.5±(0.5), and 50.0 (±1.9) and 48.0 (±2.1), respectively, which were not statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the overall clinical manifestation of bipolar I disorder in patients with and without methamphetamine use. However, in some symptomatology domains, there were some differences between the two groups.

Association between bipolar episodes and fluid and electrolyte homeostasis: a retrospective longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: Imbalance of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis has been suggested to be associated with the neuropathological processes underlying bipolar disorder. However, longitudinal data regarding the association of bipolar episodes with fluid balance are still lacking. We hypothesized that mania may be associated with a relative fluid retention and hemodilution, and depression with a relative hemoconcentration. METHODS: Patients with bipolar disorder (n = 43) admitted to a mental health center, both with depressive and manic episodes, were retrospectively followed between 2005 and 2013. Fluid balance and electrolyte serum indices were compared between their manic and depressive episodes. We adjusted for physical and psychiatric comorbidities and for psychotropic treatment, using two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in serum fluid balance indices during mania compared to depression: mean hemoglobin concentration 13.9 ± 1.4 g/dL versus 14.5 ± 1.4 g/dL, paired t = -4.2, p < 0.0005; mean hematocrit 41.1 ± 4.1% versus 42.3 ± 3.7%, paired t = -3.0, p < 0.005; mean albumin concentration 4.2 ± 0.3 g/dL versus 4.5 ± 0.3 g/dL, paired t = -4.5, p < 0.0001; and mean sodium concentration 140.3 ± 2.0 mEq/L versus 141.0 ± 2.0 mEq/L, paired t = -2.1, p = 0.04, respectively. Controlling for physical and psychiatric comorbidities and psychotropic treatment did not alter these associations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the notion of an imbalance of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis among bipolar episodes, which is suggestive for relative hemoconcentration during depressive episodes and relative hemodilution during manic episodes. These findings may eventually lead to novel therapeutic targets.

The prevalence of late-life mania: a review.

OBJECTIVES: Since there is a worldwide steady increase in the number of individuals living longer and an expected increase in the number of older adults who will be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, there is a growing need to better understand late-life mania. We provide in this review a report of published studies focusing on the prevalence of late-life mania in the community and in senior psychiatric care facilities. METHODS: We conducted a search of PubMed and Psychinfo databases using combinations of the keywords bipolar, manic/a, manic depression, elderly, and older including English-language reports presenting quantitative data on the prevalence of mania in adults over the age of 50 years. RESULTS: Eighteen out of 188 potentially eligible studies met our inclusion criteria, with most studies focusing on psychiatric inpatient samples. The overall prevalence of late-life mania was estimated to be 6.0% in the reported 1,519 older psychiatric inpatients. In elderly inpatients with bipolar disorder, the mean prevalence of late-onset mania was 44.2%. For other relevant care facilities, no firm conclusions could be drawn. CONCLUSIONS: Late-life mania is not rare in older psychiatric inpatients and late-onset mania is associated with increased somatic comorbidity in patients aged 50 years and older. Several hypotheses regarding the relationship between somatic illness and late-life mania in the elderly have been proposed and studies on this relationship and the prevalence of late-life mania in different senior psychiatric care facilities deserve specific attention in future research projects.

[Treatment of manic phases of bipolar disorder: critical synthesis of international guidelines]. / Traitement du trouble bipolaire en phase maniaque : synthèse critique des recommandations internationales.

INTRODUCTION: Bipolar disorder (BD) is the seventh leading cause of disability per year of life among all diseases in the population aged 15 to 44. It is a group of heterogeneous diseases, with frequent comorbid psychiatric or somatic disorders, variable treatment response and frequent residual symptoms between episodes. The major impairment associated with this disorder is related to the high relapse and recurrence rates, the functional impact of comorbidities and cognitive impairment between episodes. The prognosis of the disease relies on the efficacy of relapse and recurrence prevention interventions. Given the heterogeneity of the disorder, relapse and recurrence prevention needs to develop a personalized care plan from the start of the acute phase. In such a complex situation, guideline-driven algorithms of decision are known to improve overall care of patients with bipolar disorder, compared to standard treatment decisions. Although guidelines do not account for all the situations encountered with patients, this systematic approach contributes to the development of personalized medicine. METHODS: We present a critical review of recent international recommendations for the management of manic phases. We summarize treatment options that reach consensus (monotherapy and combination therapy) and comment on options that differ across guidelines. RESULTS: The synthesis of recent international guidelines shows a consensus for the initial treatment for manic phases. For acute and long-term management, the anti-manic drugs proposed are traditional mood stabilizers (lithium or valproate) and atypical antipsychotics (APA - olanzapine, risperidone, aripiprazole and quetiapine). All guidelines indicate stopping antidepressant drugs during manic phases. International guidelines also present with some differences. First, as monotherapy is often non sufficient in clinical practice, combination therapy with a traditional mood stabilizer and an APA are disputed either in first line treatment for severe cases or in second line. Second, mixed episodes treatment is not consensual either and some guidelines propose in first line valproate, carbamazepine and some APA, and advice not to use lithium. On the other hand, some guidelines do not propose specific treatment for mixed episodes and group them with manic episodes management. Duration of treatment is unclear. CONCLUSION: Guidelines utilization has shown that the systemic use by clinicians of decision algorithms in comparison to "treatment as usual" modality improves the overall care of patients with BD. Future data from cohorts of patients seem necessary to complement the existing data from clinical trials. These cohort studies will help to take into account the different individual profiles of BD and thus may help to propose a more personalized medicine.