Ability to perform activities of daily living among patients with bipolar disorder in remission

Abstract

Aims: Patients with bipolar disorder often experience disability in terms of cognitive impairments and activity limitations even in remission. However, knowledge is sparse concerning the ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADL) during remission. The aim of this study was to (1) investigate the observed and self-reported ability to perform ADL tasks and (2) examine the association between observed and self-reported ability to perform ADL in patients with bipolar disorder in remission. Methods:

Assessing and addressing cognitive impairment in bipolar disorder: the International Society for Bipolar Disorders Targeting Cognition Task Force recommendations for clinicians

“…Indeed, quality of life is not merely the inverse of affective symptoms but also involves patients’ perceptions of their position in life in the context of their culture, values and personal aspirations . Poor life quality in BD is therefore closely linked to patients’ lower academic attainment and vocational function, high unemployment rates, and problems with household and community functioning . This has led to growing consensus that clinical remission—ie, feeling well —is not a sufficient treatment goal: Patients also need to do well and recover functionally to achieve good quality of life …”

Developing a profile of activities of daily living for bipolar disorder: a systematic review protocol and meta-analysis

“…9 15-17 Even after remission from BD, studies report decreased ADL performance and participation in the BD population, where 30%-60% of individuals never seeing a return to full functioning. 18 Decker et al 19 examined 43 patients in remission, and they found that functioning in daily life activities in these patients remained significantly impaired. 19 For 20%-50% of those individuals, the dysfunctions manifested through increased physical effort, fatigue or disorganisation.…”

Affective disorders: eliminate WArning signs and REstore functioning—AWARE—a randomised controlled multimodule intervention study, presentation of design and intervention

“…Therefore, our group conducted a pilot study using a performance-based assessment tool, including patients with BD in remission assessed in their home surroundings. These patients (mean age 35 years) had an observed ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) below the mean of healthy persons at the same age,15 and their ADL ability was equivalent to healthy persons between 60 and 85 years. Thus, having an ADL ability as being 30 years older, they exhibited increased physical effort, clumsiness or fatigue and/or efficiency, leading to concern for safe task performance 15.…”

“…These patients (mean age 35 years) had an observed ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) below the mean of healthy persons at the same age,15 and their ADL ability was equivalent to healthy persons between 60 and 85 years. Thus, having an ADL ability as being 30 years older, they exhibited increased physical effort, clumsiness or fatigue and/or efficiency, leading to concern for safe task performance 15. Furthermore, concerning cognition, impaired processing speed was significant associated with more difficulties in performing ADL 16.…”