Prevalence and burden of bipolar disorders in European countries

Abstract

A literature search, supplemented by an expert survey and selected reanalyses of existing data from epidemiological studies was performed to determine the prevalence and associated burden of bipolar I and II disorder in EU countries. Only studies using established diagnostic instruments based on DSM-III-R or DSM-IV, or ICD-10 criteria were considered. Fourteen studies from a total of 10 countries were identified. The majority of studies reported 12-month estimates of approximately 1% (range 0.5-1.1%), with little evidence of a gender difference. The cumulative lifetime incidence (two prospective-longitudinal studies) is slightly higher (1.5-2%); and when the wider range of bipolar spectrum disorders is considered estimates increased to approximately 6%. Few studies have reported separate estimates for bipolar I and II disorders. Age of first onset of bipolar disorder is most frequently reported in late adolescence and early adulthood. A high degree of concurrent and sequential comorbidity with other mental disorders and physical illnesses is common. Most studies suggest equally high or even higher levels of impairments and disabilities of bipolar disorders as compared to major depression and schizophrenia. Few data are available on treatment and health care utilization.

Cost of disorders of the brain in Europe 2010

“…Twelve international groups of epidemiologists worked on the project, each group with expertise in the epidemiology of one of the brain disorders covered by the project (see Acknowledgements for names and affiliations). All reviews resulted in articles which were published early 2005 (Berr et al, 2005;Campenhausen et al, 2005;Fehm et al, 2005;Forsgren et al, 2005;Goodwin et al, 2005;Lieb et al, 2005;Paykel et al, 2005;Pini et al, 2005;Pugliatti et al, 2005;Ro¨ssler et al, 2005;Rehm et al, 2005a,b;Servadei et al, 2005;Stovner et al, 2005;Truelsen et al, 2005;Westphal et al, 2005;Wittchen and Jacobi, 2005) 3 . The multinational experts included in the data collection ensured the review of all possible data including local sources as well as grey literature.…”

Familial Risk for Mood Disorder and the Personality Risk Factor, Neuroticism, Interact in Their Association with Frontolimbic Serotonin 2A Receptor Binding

“…The typical age of onset for bipolar disorder is 18 years (Pini et al, 2005), and for major depression, it is 30 years (Hasin et al, 2005). (b) A large variation in the period of time between inclusion in our study and onset of the co-twin's mood disorderFThe mean symptom-free interval was 7.0±7.6 years, but for three subjects 410 years passed from the age of onset of the co-twin (10, 20, and 34 years).…”

Validity of the assessment of bipolar spectrum disorders in the WHO CIDI 3.0

“…Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Although the estimated lifetime prevalence of bipolar disorders (BPD) in international adult population surveys using structured diagnostic interviews and standardized diagnostic criteria is only approximately 0.8% for BP-I and 1.1% for BP-II, (Bauer and Pfennig, 2005;Pini et al, 2005;Waraich et al, 2004;Angst, 2004;Tohen and Angst, 2002;Wittchen et al, 2003;Weissman et al, 1996) recent clinical and epidemiological studies suggest that bipolar spectrum disorders might affect up to 6% of the general population (Angst, 1998;Angst et al, 2003;Akiskal et al, 2000;Akiskal and Benazzi, 2005;Judd and Akiskal, 2003;Benazzi and Akiskal, 2001). This estimate is uncertain, though, as bipolar spectrum disorders, which includes not only BP-I and BP-II but also cases with episodes of hypomania of lesser severity or briefer duration than specified in the DSM and ICD criteria, have not been the focus of sustained attention in large-scale community epidemiological studies.…”