Biomedical subjects

Franco Benazzi

Publications and source records attributed to Franco Benazzi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Is there a continuity between bipolar and depressive disorders?

BACKGROUND: Recent studies questioned the current categorical split of mood disorders into bipolar disorders (BP) and depressive disorders (MDD). METHODS: Medline database search of papers from the last 10 years on the categorical-dimensional classification of mood disorders. Various combinations of the following key words were used: mood disorders, bipolar, unipolar, major depressive disorder, spectrum, category/categorical, classification, continuity. Only English language clinical papers were included, review papers were excluded, similar papers selected by quality. The number of papers found was 1,141. The number of papers selected was 109. RESULTS: The continuity/spectrum between BP (mainly BP-II) and MDD was supported by the following findings:(1) high frequency of mixed states (mixed mania, mixed hypomania, mixed depression, i.e. co-occurring depression and noneuphoric manic/hypomanic symptoms) because opposite polarity symptoms in the same episode do not support a hypomania/mania-depression splitting; (2) MDD was the most common mood disorder in BP probands' relatives; (3) no bimodal distribution of distinguishing symptoms between BP and MDD; (4) bipolar signs not uncommon in MDD; (5) many MDD shifting to BP; (6) many lifetime manic/hypomanic symptoms in MDD; (7) correlation between lifetime manic/hypomanic symptoms and MDD symptoms; (8) hypomania factors in MDD; (9) MDD often recurrent; (10) similar cognitive style. The categorical distinction between BP (mainly BP-I) and MDD was supported by the following findings: (1) BP more common in BP probands' relatives; (2) lower age at BP onset; (3) females as common as males in BP-I, more common than males in MDD; (4) BP-I depression more atypical and retarded, MDD depression more sleepless and agitated; (5) BP more recurrent. CONCLUSIONS: Focusing on mood spectrum's extremes (BP-I vs. MDD), a categorical distinction seems supported. Focusing on midway disorders (BP-II and MDD plus bipolar signs), a continuity/spectrum seems supported. Results seem to support both a categorical and a dimensional view of mood disorders.

Bipolar Disorder↗

PubMed2006

Challenging DSM-IV criteria for hypomania: diagnosing based on number of no-priority symptoms.

BACKGROUND: DSM-IV definition of hypomania of bipolar-II disorder (BP-II), which includes elevated/irritable mood change as core feature (i.e., it must always be present), is not based on sound evidence. STUDY AIM: Following classic descriptions of hypomania, was to test if hypomania could be diagnosed on the basis of its number (9) of DSM-IV symptoms, setting no-priority symptom. METHODS: Consecutive 422 depression-remitted outpatients were re-interviewed by a mood specialist psychiatrist using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders-Clinician Version [a semi-structured interview modified by Benazzi and Akiskal (J Affect Disord, 2003; J Clin Psychiatry, 2005) to improve the probing for BP-II] in a private practice. History of episodes of subthreshold (i.e., 2 or more symptoms) and threshold (i.e., meeting DSM-IV criteria of elevated mood plus at least 3 symptoms, or irritable mood plus at least 4) hypomania, lasting at least 2 days, and which were the most common symptoms during the episodes, were systematically assessed. RESULTS: Bipolar-II disorder (BP-II) patients (according to DSM-IV criteria, apart from hypomania duration) were 260, and major depressive disorder (MDD) patients were 162. Mood change was present in all BP-II by definition. The most common symptoms were overactivity, which was present in almost all BP-II, followed by elevated mood and racing thoughts. ROC analysis of the number of hypomanic symptoms predicting BP-II found that a cut point of 5 or more symptoms over 9 had the best combination of sensitivity (90%) and specificity (84%), and the highest figure of correctly classified (87%) BP-II. History of episodes of 5 or more hypomanic symptoms was met by almost all BP-II. LIMITATIONS: Single interviewer. CONCLUSIONS: Following classic descriptions of hypomania, not setting any priority among the three basic domains of hypomania (mood, thinking, behavior), results suggest that a cutoff number of 5 symptoms over 9 (of those listed by DSM-IV) could be used to diagnose hypomania of BP-II. Diagnosing hypomania by counting a checklist of symptoms should make it easier to diagnose BP-II, and should reduce the current high misdiagnosis of BP-II as MDD, significantly impacting the treatment of depression.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Is overactivity the core feature of hypomania in bipolar II disorder?

BACKGROUND: Recent studies found that overactivity (increased goal-directed activities) may be as important as mood change (elevated and/or irritable mood) for the diagnosis of mania/hypomania (on family history and psychometric grounds), questioning DSM-IV-TR criteria always requiring mood change and listing overactivity among the other symptoms. The aim of the study was to find out if overactivity was at least as important as mood change for the diagnosis of hypomania. SAMPLING AND METHODS: A consecutive sample of 137 bipolar II disorder (BP-II) and 76 major depressive disorder remitted outpatients were interviewed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV by a senior clinical and research psychiatrist in a private practice. Patients were asked if they had had hypomanic symptoms and episodes, and which were the most common hypomanic symptoms during the various episodes. The study aim had not been planned when variables were collected for different study goals. RESULTS: Overactivity was the most common hypomanic symptom in BP-II, more common than elevated mood, and had the strongest association with BP-II among all the hypomanic symptoms (overactivity odds ratio = 15.4, elevated mood odds ratio = 12.6). Three factors were found: an 'elevated mood' factor including elevated mood and increased self-esteem; a 'mental activation' factor including racing/crowded thoughts, and a 'behavioral activation' factor including overactivity. There was no relationship between overactivity and mood change. Irritable mood was not associated with overactivity and elevated mood. BP-II was present in 21.6%of patients without a history of overactivity, and in 81.0% of patients with a history of overactivity. BP-II was present in 25.0% of patients without elevated mood, and in 63.3% of patients with elevated mood. As a predictor of BP-II, overactivity had a sensitivity of 90.5%, a specificity of 61.8%, and a positive predictive value of 81.0% (elevated mood: 72.2, 82.8, and 88.3%, respectively). Five or more hypomanic symptoms had the most balanced combination of sensitivity (82.4%) and specificity (85.5%) for BP-II, and a positive predictive value of 91.1%. Overactivity was present in 89.5% of patients with a history of > or = 5 hypomanic symptoms, while elevated mood was present in 76.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Theresults seem to support the view that overactivity may be a core feature of hypomania, suggesting the upgrading of overactivity to a stem criterion for hypomania.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Challenging the unipolar-bipolar division: does mixed depression bridge the gap?

BACKGROUND: Mixed states, i.e., opposite polarity symptoms in the same mood episode, question the categorical splitting of mood disorders in bipolar disorders and unipolar depressive disorders, and may support a continuum between these disorders. Study aim was to find if there were a continuum between hypomania (defining BP-II) and depression (defining MDD), by testing mixed depression as a 'bridge' linking these two disorders. A correlation between intradepressive hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms could support such a continuum, but other explanations of a correlation are possible. METHODS: Consecutive 389 BP-II and 261 MDD major depressive episode (MDE) outpatients were interviewed, cross-sectionally, with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, the Hypomania Interview Guide (to assess intradepressive hypomanic symptoms) and the Family History Screen, by a mood disorders specialist psychiatrist in a private practice. Patients presented voluntarily for treatment of depression when interviewed drug-free and had many subsequent follow-ups after treatment start. Mixed depression (depressive mixed state) was defined as the combination of MDE (depression) and three or more DSM-IV intradepressive hypomanic symptoms (elevated mood and increased self-esteem were always absent by definition), a definition validated by Akiskal and Benazzi. RESULTS: BP-II, versus MDD, had significantly lower age at onset, more recurrences, atypical and mixed depressions, bipolar family history, MDE symptoms and intradepressive hypomanic symptoms. Mixed depression was present in 64.5% of BP-II and in 32.1% of MDD (p=0.000). There was a significant correlation between number of MDE symptoms and number of intradepressive hypomanic symptoms. A dose-response relationship between frequency of mixed depression and number of MDE symptoms was also found. CONCLUSIONS: Differences on classic diagnostic validators could support a division between BP-II and MDD. Presence of intradepressive hypomanic symptoms by itself, and correlation between intradepressive hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms could instead support a continuum. Other explanations of such a correlation are possible. Depending on the method used, a BP-II-MDD continuum could be supported or not.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

The continuum/spectrum concept of mood disorders: is mixed depression the basic link?

BACKGROUND: Mixed states, i.e., opposite polarity symptoms in the same mood episode, question the bipolar/unipolar splitting of mood disorders, and support a spectrum view. Study aim was assessing the distribution of intradepressive hypomanic symptoms between bipolar-II (BP-II) and major depressive disorder (MDD) depressions, and testing a dose-response relationship between number of intradepressive hypomanic symptoms and bipolar family history. No bi-modality, and a dose-response relationship, would not support a categorical distinction. METHODS: Consecutive 389 BP-II and 261 MDD depressed outpatients were interviewed by the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV, hypomania interview guide, and family history screen, by a mood specialist psychiatrist, in a private practice. Intradepressive hypomanic symptoms were systematically assessed. Mixed depression was defined as the combination of depression and three or more intradepressive hypomanic symptoms, a validated definition. RESULTS: BP-II, versus MDD, had significantly more intradepressive hypomanic symptoms. The distribution of intradepressive hypomanic symptoms between BP-II and MDD was not bi-modal but normal-like, and a dose-response relationship was found between the number of intradepressive hypomanic symptoms and bipolar family history. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings question the categorical division of BP-II and MDD, and may support the spectrum view of mood disorders.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Dose-response relationship between number of comorbid anxiety disorders in adolescent bipolar/unipolar disorders, and psychosis, suicidality, substance abuse and familiality.

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain rates of panic, obsessive-compulsive (OCD) and social phobic disorders among adolescents with bipolar disorder (BP), unipolar major depressive disorder (MDD) and psychiatric comparison patients, to assess their relationships to suicidality, psychosis, comorbidity patterns and familiality. METHODS: The first author (SCD) interviewed 313 Latino adolescents using a structured interview based on the SCID. Family history was ascertained by live interview or interview by proxy. Patients were classified as BP, MDD, or non-affectively ill comparison controls (CC). Data regarding suicidality and psychosis were collected. Regression analysis was used to test associations and control for confounding effects. Positive likelihood ratios were used to measure the dose-response relationships between number of anxiety disorders and measures of severity of illness and familial loading for affective illness. RESULTS: Of the total sample, 36.7% were BP, 44.7% MDD and 18.5% CC. In BP vs. MDD the odds of panic disorder were 4.4, of OCD 5.1, and of social phobia 3.3. MDD, in turn, were more likely to have these disorders than CC. BP (but not MDD) with panic disorder and social phobia, were more likely to have suicidal ideation; among the anxiety disorders, only social phobia was associated with having greater odds of suicide attempts. Among BP and MDD, patients with all three anxiety disorders were more likely to be psychotic. Presence of any mood disorder among first-degree relatives substantially increased the odds of having panic disorder and social phobia. The presence of one comorbid anxiety disorder increased the odds of having another. Finally, there were dose-response relationships between number of anxiety disorders and measures of severity of illness and familial loading for affective illness. LIMITATIONS: Single interviewer using the SCID; cross sectional exploratory study. CONCLUSIONS: BP adolescents have a greater anxiety disorder burden than their MDD counterparts. The results are compatible with the hypothesis that heavy familial-genetic loading for affective illness in juveniles is associated with bipolarity, cumulative anxiety disorder comorbidity, suicidality and psychosis. These observations are in line with pioneering psychopathologic observation in the early 1900s by two French psychiatrists, Gilbert Ballet and Pierre Kahn, who saw common ground between what until then had been considered the distinct categories of the neuroses and cyclothymic (circular) psychoses. This perspective has much in common with current complex genetic models of anxious diatheses in bipolar disorder.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Does the FDA proposed list of possible correlates of suicidality associated with antidepressants apply to an adult private practice population?

BACKGROUND: In issuing an advisory about a relationship of suicidality emerging during antidepressant use in mood and other psychiatric disorders in juvenile and, possibly patients of all ages, the FDA listed such warning symptomatologic correlates as psychomotor agitation, panic, insomnia, irritability, aggressiveness, and impulsivity, and additionally urged screening for personal and family history for bipolar disorder. It must be recalled that the FDA warning was based on post hoc examination of antidepressant trial data pertaining largely to emergent suicidal ideation rather than attempts. In this report we examine the relevance of the "FDA list" for adults. METHODS: Consecutive 650 outpatients presenting with a major depressive episode (MDE) in the second author's (FB) private practice were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, the Hypomania Interview Guide, and the Family History Screen. The threshold for a bipolar II (BP-II) diagnosis was broadened by bypassing the stem-A probes on hypomanic mood, lowering the duration of hypomanic episodes to as short as 2 days and, most importantly, eliciting hypomanic intrusions into depressive episodes. Beyond the FDA proposed list and in line with previous work by us, we considered symptoms of depressive mixed state (DMX, an MDE plus 3 or more DSM-IV intradepressive non-euphoric hypomanic symptoms) as possible substrates for suicidality. RESULTS: Suicidal ideation was present in 49.3% of the sample, and significantly greater in BP-II versus MDD (OR=1.46). Odds ratio for patients with suicidal ideas, versus those without suicidal ideas in univariate analyses were as follows: irritability (1.32), psychomotor agitation (1.48) and racing/crowded thoughts (2.0). In DMX, irritability was present in 76.4% and in non-DMX in 23.8% (OR=10.3), psychomotor agitation in 51.3% versus 4.4%, (OR=22.6), and racing/crowded thoughts in 89.2% versus 45.3% (OR=9.9). Insomnia and family history for bipolarity were not associated with suicidal ideation. Racing/crowded thoughts emerged as the only significant independent predictor in multiple logistic regression. LIMITATION: Panic was not specifically tested, because it was not systematically entered into our clinical database. Furthermore, we studied a population which was not taking antidepressants. Our operating hypothesis was that the FDA listed correlates of suicidality are pre-existing baseline substrates that might be potentially further activated by antidepressants. CONCLUSION: Going beyond previous work by us, the present data further refine the "FDA list" under scrutiny. While not designed to test whether antidepressants induce suicidality, the present report shows that the type of depression associated with suicidal ideas is an agitated, irritable, and especially mentally overactive syndrome (i.e. a DMX). Bipolarity falling short of the DSM-IV schema (represented by BP-II with brief hypomania and DMX) appears to represent the main diagnostic substrate for the occurrence of suicidality. Although controlled trials of antidepressants in adults have not been specifically conducted in DMX patients, it would be clinically prudent to avoid the prescription of antidepressant monotherapy to such patients to avert any potential iatrogenic aggravation of their condition.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

A continuity between bipolar II depression and major depressive disorder?

BACKGROUND: A recent series of studies has questioned the current categorical split of mood disorders into bipolar and depressive disorders. Mixed states, especially mixed depression (i.e., depression plus co-occurring, noneuphoric, hypomanic symptoms) might support a continuity between bipolar II (BP-II) depression and major depressive disorder (MDD). The aim of the study was to assess the distribution of intradepressive hypomanic symptoms rating between BP-II and MDD depressions. A bi-modal distribution would support a categorical distinction, and no bi-modality would support continuity. METHODS: Consecutive 389 BP-II and 261 MDD major depressive episode (MDE) outpatients were interviewed (off psychoactive drugs) with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, the Hypomania Interview Guide (HIG, to assess intradepressive hypomanic symptoms), and the Family History Screen, by a mood specialist psychiatrist in a private practice. Mixed depression was defined as MDE plus 3 or more intradepressive, noneuphoric hypomanic symptoms, a definition validated by Akiskal and Benazzi. The distribution of intradepressive hypomanic symptoms rating was studied by Kernel density estimate and by histogram. RESULTS: BP-II depression, versus MDD depression, had significantly lower age at onset, was significantly more likely to be atypical and mixed, had more depression recurrences, and a higher bipolar family history loading. BP-II depression, versus MDD depression, had significantly more irritability, racing/crowded thoughts, distractibility, psychomotor agitation, talkativeness, increased goal-directed activity, and excessive risky activities. HIG scores were significantly higher in BP-II. The distribution of intradepressive hypomanic symptoms rating showed no bi-modality in the entire depression sample. CONCLUSIONS: Interpretation of study findings relies on the method used to define a categorical disorder. By using classic diagnostic validators (such as family history and age at onset), BP-II and MDD depressions would seem to be distinct disorders. Instead, by using the 'bi-modality' approach, a continuity would seem to be supported. Which of these methods for classification is the best has yet to be shown.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

The DSM-IV and ICD-10 categories of recurrent [major] depressive and bipolar II disorders: evidence that they lie on a dimensional spectrum.

BACKGROUND: Presently it is a hotly debated issue whether unipolar and bipolar disorders are categorically distinct or lie on a spectrum. We used the ongoing Ravenna-San Diego Collaboration database to examine this question with respect to major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar II (BP-II). METHODS: The study population in FB's Italian private practice setting comprised consecutive 650 outpatients presenting with major depressive episode (MDE) and ascertained by a modified version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Differential assignment of patients into MDD versus BP-II was made on the basis of discrete hypomanic episodes outside the timeframe of an MDE. In addition, hypomanic signs and symptoms during MDE (intra-MDE hypomania) were systematically assessed and graded by the Hypomania Interview Guide (HIG). The frequency distributions of the HIG total scores in each of the MDD, BP-II and the combined entire sample were plotted using the kernel density estimate. Finally, bipolar family history (BFH) was investigated by structured interview (the Family History Screen). RESULTS: There were 261 MDD and 389 BP-II. As in the previous smaller samples, categorically defined BP-II compared with MDD had significantly earlier age at onset, higher rates of familial bipolarity (mostly BP-II), history of MDE recurrences (>or=5), and atypical features. However, examining hypomania scores dimensionally, whether we examined the MDD, BP-II, or the combined sample, kernel density estimate distribution of these scores had a normal-like shape (i.e., no bimodality). Also, in the combined sample of MDE, we found a dose-response relationship between BFH loading and intra-MDE hypomania measured by HIG scores. LIMITATIONS: Although the interviewer (FB) could not be blind to the diagnostic status of his private patients, the systematic rigorous interview process in a very large clinical population minimized any unintended biases. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike previous studies that have examined the number of DSM-IV hypomanic signs and symptoms both outside and during MDE, the present analyses relied on the more precise hypomania scores as measured by the HIG. The finding of a dose-response relationship between BFH and HIG scores in the sample at large strongly suggests a continuity between BP-II and MDD. Our data indicate that even in those clinically depressed patients without past hypomanic episodes (so-called "unipolar" MDD), such scores are normally rather than bimodally distributed during MDE. Moreover, the absence of a 'zone of rarity' in the distribution of hypomanic scores in the combined total, MDD and BP-II MDE samples, indicates that MDD and BP-II exist on a dimensional spectrum. From a nosologic perspective, our data are contrary to what one would expect from a categorical unipolar-bipolar distinction. In practical terms, intra-MDE hypomania and BFH, especially in recurrent MDD, represent strong indicators of bipolarity.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

The close link between suicide attempts and mixed (bipolar) depression: implications for suicide prevention.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports have shown a significant relationship between suicide ideation and mixed depression. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and clinical characteristics of mixed depression among non-violent suicide attempters. METHODS: Using a structured interview (modified Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview) and assessing all the symptoms of 16 psychiatric diagnoses, the authors examined 100 consecutive nonviolent suicide attempters (aged 18-65) within 24 h after their attempts. Mixed depression was defined as a major depressive episode (MDE)/dysthymic disorder plus 3 or more co-occurring hypomanic symptoms, according to the definition validated by Akiskal and Benazzi [Akiskal, H.S., Benazzi, F., 2003a. Delineating depressive mixed states: Their therapeutic significance. Clin. Approaches Bipolar Disord. 2, 41-47, Akiskal, H.S., Benazzi, F., 2003b. Family history validation of the bipolar nature of depressive mixed states. J. Affect. Disord. 73, 113-122.]. RESULTS: Current mixed depression was present in 63.0% in the total sample, and in 70.8% among the 89 depressive suicide attempters. Irritability, distractibility and psychomotor agitation were present in more than 90% of the subjects with mixed depression. The rate of mixed depression was significantly higher among bipolar than non-bipolar depressive suicide attempters (90% vs. 62%). Patients with mixed depression had the following concurrent disorders: bipolar disorders 41.0%, panic disorder 30.0%, generalized anxiety disorder 89.0%, alcohol abuse/dependence 56.0%, and substance abuse 27.0%. Mixed depression versus non-mixed depression had the following significant associations (odds ratio=OR): females 2.4, bipolar II disorder 9.3, generalized anxiety disorder 41.3, irritability 101.6 and psychomotor agitation 61.1. LIMITATIONS: The study didn't include suicide attempters with very high risk of fatality. CONCLUSIONS: The important new finding of this study is the very high prevalence of mixed depression among depressed suicide attempters. The rates of mixed depression among bipolar and non-bipolar depressive suicide attempters were much higher than previously reported among nonsuicidal bipolar II and unipolar depressive outpatients, suggesting that suicide attempters come mainly from mixed depressives with predominantly bipolar II base. Irritability and psychomotor agitation were the strongest predictors of suicide attempt. From a public health standpoint, our data highlight the necessity of detecting and treating mixed (bipolar) depression in the prevention of suicidal behaviour.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Symptoms of depression as possible markers of bipolar II disorder.

UNLABELLED: Underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of bipolar-II disorder (BP-II) as a major depressive disorder (MDD) are frequently reported. The study aim was to find which symptoms of depression could be possible cross-sectional markers of BP-II, in order to reduce underdiagnosing BP-II. METHODS: Consecutive 379 BP-II and 271 MDD major depressive episode (MDE) outpatients were interviewed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, the Hypomania Interview Guide, and the Family History Screen, by a senior psychiatrist in a private practice. Inside-MDE hypomanic symptoms (elevated mood and increased self-esteem always absent by definition) were systematically assessed. Mixed depression was defined as an MDE plus 3 or more inside-MDE hypomanic symptoms, a definition validated by Akiskal and Benazzi. RESULTS: The MDE symptoms significantly more common in BP-II versus MDD were weight gain, increased eating, hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation, worthlessness, and diminished ability to concentrate. The inside-MDE hypomanic symptoms significantly more common in BP-II were distractibility, racing/crowded thoughts, irritability, psychomotor agitation, more talkativeness, increased risky and goal-directed activities. Multiple logistic regression showed that hypersomnia, racing/crowded thoughts, irritability, and psychomotor agitation were independent predictors of BP-II. Irritability had the most balanced combination of sensitivity and specificity predicting BP-II. Psychomotor agitation had the highest specificity but the lowest sensitivity. Racing/crowded thoughts had the highest sensitivity but the lowest specificity. These symptoms had a similar positive predictive value (PPV) for BP-II, which was around 70% (PPV is more clinically useful than sensitivity and specificity), which in turn was similar to the PPV of mixed depression and atypical depression (two diagnostic clinical markers of BP-II). All possible combinations of these symptoms had a PPV similar to that of the individual symptoms. The validity as BP-II markers of these symptoms was supported by a significant association with bipolar family history. CONCLUSIONS: Hypersomnia, racing/crowded thoughts, irritability, and psychomotor agitation may be useful, cross-sectional markers of BP-II. Finding these symptoms in depression should lead the clinician to careful probing for history of hypomania, which should reduce the BP-II misdiagnosed as MDD. Results may also have treatment impacts, as antidepressants used alone (i.e., no concurrent mood stabilising agent) in BP-II depression misdiagnosed as MDD may increase cycling.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Biphasic course in bipolar II outpatients: prevalence and clinical correlates of a cyclic pattern described by Baillarger and Falret in hospitalised patients in 1854.

BACKGROUND: Biphasic course refers to a mood episode immediately followed by one of opposite polarity and then usually by a free interval. It was described under the rubric of folie à double forme among psychiatric inpatients by the French psychiatrist Baillarger 150 years ago. A rapid cycling form (folie circulaire) was also described in the same year by his compatriot Falret. These patients would probably have today met the criteria for bipolar I. Our aim was to find the prevalence and clinical correlates of biphasic course in bipolar II (BP II) in contemporary ambulatory patients. METHODS: Consecutive 206 BP II outpatients were interviewed in the first author's private practice, using a modified Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. To assign a patient to biphasic episode, it must have occurred at least once when not on an antidepressant. RESULTS: Frequency of biphasic course was 80%. Biphasic vs. non-biphasic course was significantly higher in polyepisodic major depressive episode (MDE) and those with antidepressant-associated hypomania; the same was true for index melancholic subtype, where index of Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF) score was lower. Female gender, age at onset, mixed depressive episodes and bipolar family history were not significantly different between the two groups. LIMITATIONS: Patients were not observed on a prospective basis. We cannot report on the relative proportion of MDE preceded vs. followed by hypomania, because such distinction was not part of FB's naturalistic database. CONCLUSIONS: Strikingly in line with Baillarger's observation 150 years ago, biphasic course represented the typical pattern in this outpatient private practice sample of BP II. That antidepressant-associated hypomania was significantly more common in the biphasic course variety suggests that when MDE preceded hypomania-in such patients, antidepressants might have simply accentuated the natural cycle rather than causing it. Switching in the clinical setting then seems to depend on a biphasic cyclic baseline aggravated by antidepressant use. The fact that mixed states were equally prevalent in both course patterns suggests that the mechanisms involved in switching and mixity may be distinct. The significantly higher number of melancholic episodes with lower GAF scores indicates that-in line with Falret's description-overall, the biphasic course represents a relatively unfavorable outcome pattern.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

The duration of hypomania in bipolar-II disorder in private practice: methodology and validation.

BACKGROUND: DSM-IV 4-day minimum hypomania duration is not evidence-based. Epidemiologic data suggest that briefer hypomanias are prevalent in the community. We sought to find out the relative prevalence of short (2-3 days) versus long (>/=4 days) hypomanias in private practice. METHODS: 206 bipolar-II (BP-II) depressed outpatients (group B) and a group of 140 remitted BP-II (group R) were assessed with the DSM-IV Structured Clinical Interview, as modified by the authors. BP-II with short vs. longer hypomania were compared on such bipolar validators as early age at onset, depressive recurrence, atypical feature specifier, depressive mixed state and bipolar family history. In addition, to ascertain the bipolar status of depressed patients with brief hypomanias, we included a comparison group of 178 major depressive disorder (MDD) patients assessed when depressed. RESULTS: 27-30% of hypomanias (depending on whether assessment occurred when patients were depressed or in remission) had 2-3-day duration; 72% lasted less than 4 weeks. Except for the atypical feature specifier, BP-II with short vs. BP-II with longer hypomania were not significantly different on bipolar validators. Moreover, BP-II with short, like its longer hypomanic counterpart, was significantly different from the comparison MDD group on all bipolar indicators. LIMITATIONS: Single interviewer and retrospective evaluation of duration of hypomania. CONCLUSIONS: As BP-II patients almost never present clinically in a hypomanic episode, the retrospective assessment of the duration of these episodes is clinically unavoidable. Most hypomanias last from 2 days to a few weeks. BP-II with shorter vs. longer hypomanias had significantly higher rates of females, comorbidity and atypical features, but were otherwise indistinguishable on crucial bipolar validators. Furthermore, such validators, including bipolar family history, robustly distinguished BP-II with short hypomanias from the MDD group. The conservative 4-day threshold would misclassify one out of three BP-II as MDD. Such misclassification has relevant implications for treatment and outcome, as well as clinical research methodology for depressive and bipolar disorders.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Mood patterns and classification in bipolar disorder.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this review is to highlight recent studies that have questioned the current split of mood disorders into the categories of bipolar and depressive disorders. RECENT FINDINGS: A continuity between bipolar disorders (mainly bipolar II disorder) and major depressive disorder was supported by several lines of evidence: depressive mixed states (mixed depression) and dysphoric (mixed) hypomania (opposite polarity symptoms in the same episode do not support the splitting between mania/hypomania and depression); family history, major depressive disorder is the most common mood disorder in relatives of bipolar probands; lack of points of rarity between the depressive syndromes of bipolar II disorder and major depressive disorder; bipolar features in major depressive disorder; major depressive disorder shifting to bipolar disorders; history of manic/hypomanic symptoms in major depressive disorder and correlation between lifetime manic/hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms in major depressive disorder; factors of hypomania inside major depressive disorder; recurrent course of major depressive disorder; depression more common than mania and hypomania in bipolar disorders; trait mood lability in major depressive disorder. SUMMARY: This review of the recent findings on the relationship between bipolar disorders (especially bipolar II disorder) and depressive disorders seems to support a continuity among mood disorders, and runs against the current classification of mood disorders dividing them into independent categories. Further research is needed in the area, in part because of its possible treatment impact.

Bipolar Disorder↗

PubMed2006