Bipolar Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bipolar, including details on bipolar disorder, symptoms, treatment, depression, medication.

Prospective 12-month course of bipolar disorder in out-patients with and without comorbid anxiety disorders.

Otto MW, Simon NM, Wisniewski SR, Miklowitz DJ, Kogan JN, Reilly-Harrington NA, Frank E, Nierenberg AA, Marangell LB, Sagduyu K, Weiss RD, Miyahara S, Thas ME, Sachs GS, Pollack MH,

Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. mwotto@bu.edu

BACKGROUND: The impact of anxiety disorders has not been well delineated in prospective studies of bipolar disorder. AIMS: To examine the association between anxiety and course of bipolar disorder, as defined by mood episodes, quality of life and role functioning. METHOD: A thousand thousand out-patients with bipolar disorder were followed prospectively for 1 year. RESULTS: A current comorbid anxiety disorder (present in 31.9% of participants) was associated with fewer days well, a lower likelihood of timely recovery from depression, risk of earlier relapse, lower quality of life and diminished role function over I year of prospective study. The negative impact was greater with multiple anxiety disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety disorders, including those present during relative euthymia, predicted a poorer bipolar course. The detrimental effects of anxiety were not simply a feature of mood state. Treatment studies targeting anxiety disorders will help to clarify the nature of the impact of anxiety on bipolar course.

Published 3 July 2006 in Br J Psychiatry, 189: 20-5.
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