Clara S Humpston1, Paul Bebbington2, Steven Marwaha3. 1. Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom. 2. Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London W1T 7NF, United Kingdom. 3. Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Specialist Mood Disorders Clinic, Zinnia Centre, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust, Birmingham, B1 3RB, United Kingdom. Electronic address: s.marwaha@bham.ac.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To date, the lifetime prevalence of Bipolar Disorder (BD) and BD patients' access to mental health care in England has not been systematically studied. METHODS: We used data from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2014 (N = 7546). The Mood Disorders Questionnaire (MDQ) was used to screen for BD. Associations between sociodemographic and clinical variables and use of mental health services were investigated. Weighted regression modelling established factors associated with being in receipt of care for mental health problems over the last year. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of BD in the community in England was 1.7%. Approximately 40% had not received mental health care in the last year, and only 16.9% had received BD specific treatment. 14.6% had asked for a specific form of help but not received it. Psychopathology differed between individuals who successfully sought care and those who didn't. Obtaining care was independently associated with female sex (p<0.0001, odds ratio(OR):4.65 (Confidence Interval (CI):2.18-10.30), unemployment (p = 0.02, OR: 2.65 (C.I: 1.23-5.88) and suicidal ideation (p = 0.04, OR: 3.36, (C.I: 1.04-10.89). LIMITATIONS: The MDQ is less sensitive than some of the longer measures, especially in the general population. Some between-group comparisons may have suffered from limited power. CONCLUSIONS: The lifetime prevalence of BD in England was similar to rates worldwide. Most people with BD had not received any specific treatment for the condition in the last year, while 1 in 7 had requested specific help but did not receive it. Secondary mental health services in England for BD appear suboptimal.
BACKGROUND: To date, the lifetime prevalence of Bipolar Disorder (BD) and BD patients' access to mental health care in England has not been systematically studied. METHODS: We used data from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2014 (N = 7546). The Mood Disorders Questionnaire (MDQ) was used to screen for BD. Associations between sociodemographic and clinical variables and use of mental health services were investigated. Weighted regression modelling established factors associated with being in receipt of care for mental health problems over the last year. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of BD in the community in England was 1.7%. Approximately 40% had not received mental health care in the last year, and only 16.9% had received BD specific treatment. 14.6% had asked for a specific form of help but not received it. Psychopathology differed between individuals who successfully sought care and those who didn't. Obtaining care was independently associated with female sex (p<0.0001, odds ratio(OR):4.65 (Confidence Interval (CI):2.18-10.30), unemployment (p = 0.02, OR: 2.65 (C.I: 1.23-5.88) and suicidal ideation (p = 0.04, OR: 3.36, (C.I: 1.04-10.89). LIMITATIONS: The MDQ is less sensitive than some of the longer measures, especially in the general population. Some between-group comparisons may have suffered from limited power. CONCLUSIONS: The lifetime prevalence of BD in England was similar to rates worldwide. Most people with BD had not received any specific treatment for the condition in the last year, while 1 in 7 had requested specific help but did not receive it. Secondary mental health services in England for BD appear suboptimal.
Authors: Alexander Denissoff; Antti Mustonen; Anni-Emilia Alakokkare; James G Scott; Musa B Sami; Jouko Miettunen; Solja Niemelä Journal: Addiction Date: 2022-04-08 Impact factor: 7.256