P V da Silva Magalhães1, F A Gomes, M Kunz, F Kapczinski. 1. Bipolar Disorders Program & INCT Translational Medicine, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Substance use disorders and birth-cohort have been associated with an earlier onset in bipolar disorder (BD). This study aimed at evaluating the inter-relations of these factors in age-at-onset in bipolar illness. METHOD: Two-hundred and thirty patients with bipolar I disorder were cross-sectionally evaluated. Patients were categorized into four age groups for analysis. Lifetime comorbidity and age-at-onset were derived from the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. RESULTS: There was a strong linear association between age group and age-at-onset. Lifetime alcohol and drug use disorders were also associated with age-at-onset. Illicit drug and alcohol use disorders and age group remained significant in the multivariate model. No interactions appeared. CONCLUSION: Both age group and dual diagnoses had strong and independent impacts on age-at-onset in out-patients with BD. Substance abuse may be partly accountable for earlier symptom onset, but other features of BD in younger generations are still in need to be accounted for.
OBJECTIVE: Substance use disorders and birth-cohort have been associated with an earlier onset in bipolar disorder (BD). This study aimed at evaluating the inter-relations of these factors in age-at-onset in bipolar illness. METHOD: Two-hundred and thirty patients with bipolar I disorder were cross-sectionally evaluated. Patients were categorized into four age groups for analysis. Lifetime comorbidity and age-at-onset were derived from the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. RESULTS: There was a strong linear association between age group and age-at-onset. Lifetime alcohol and drug use disorders were also associated with age-at-onset. Illicit drug and alcohol use disorders and age group remained significant in the multivariate model. No interactions appeared. CONCLUSION: Both age group and dual diagnoses had strong and independent impacts on age-at-onset in out-patients with BD. Substance abuse may be partly accountable for earlier symptom onset, but other features of BD in younger generations are still in need to be accounted for.