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.

Initial symptoms of manic relapse in manic or mixed-manic bipolar disorder: post hoc analysis of patients treated with olanzapine or lithium.

Houston JP, Lipkovich IA, Ahl J, Rotelli MD, Baker RW, Bowden CL

Lilly Corporate Center, Lilly Research Laboratories, Drop Code 4133, Indianapolis, IN 46285, United States. houstonjp@lilly.com

A post hoc analysis of Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) item scores was conducted to identify symptoms that may predict impending relapse using prospectively collected data from a double-blind, randomized relapse prevention study of patients treated with olanzapine (N=200, 5-20 mg/d) versus lithium (N=201, 300-1800 mg/d). METHODS: Relapses (YMRS > or = 15, or hospitalization) included in this analysis occurred 3-52 weeks after randomization. Repeated measures logistic regression of increases (> or = 1) in YMRS item scores prior to the visit that preceded relapse was used to estimate the odds of relapse. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients relapsed during the first 3-16 weeks of the study (olanzapine, n=12; lithium, n=19). YMRS items that increased most frequently within a 2-week period preceding relapse were (olanzapine vs. lithium, respectively): increased motor activity/energy (58.3%, 21.1%), irritability (33.3%, 31.6%), decreased need for sleep (25.0%, 10.5%), increased speech (25.0%, 10.5%), and elevated mood (25.0%, 15.8%). YMRS items with significant odds ratios (OR) that predicted relapse in patients treated with olanzapine or lithium, respectively, were: increased motor activity/energy (OR, 35.7; OR, 7.8), irritability (OR, 9.5; OR, 7.8), elevated mood (OR, 8.1; OR, 4.2), and increased sexual interest (OR, 13.7; OR, 7.7). CONCLUSIONS: Early recognition of symptom exacerbation in bipolar mania, particularly increased motor activity-energy may permit clinical interventions to help avert relapse.

Published 6 March 2007 in J Psychiatr Res, 41(7): 616-21.
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