Comparison Between Clinical Features and Residual Depressive Symptoms of Patients with Bipolar Depressive and Unipolar Depressive Disorder in Remission

Abstract

Introduction: Even though particularly bipolar depression and unipolar depression, which are among mood disorders, seem to be similar, they show differences in terms of the course and treatment process. It is important to determine the distinctive features and predictors of these two disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences between the sociodemographic and clinical features and residual depressive symptoms in the unipolar depressive and bipolar depressive disorder groups. Method: The study consisted of patients who applied to the Psychiatry Polyclinic of Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital between 01.10.2010-01.05.2011 and were diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder and Recurrent Major Depression according to SCID-I. As a result of the interviews, 96 patients with Bipolar Affective Disorder and 58 patients with Recurrent Major Depression, who were stable according to CGI, received a score of 7 and below from the hamilton rating scale for depression and a score of 5 or below from the young mania rating scale, were included in the study. Then sociodemographic information form, hamilton rating scale for depression, young mania rating scale, CGI and TEMPS-A Temperament scale were performed on patients which were deemed appropriate by applying the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-I) for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders. Results: The comorbidity rate of psychotic features was high in a statistically significant way in the BAD group (<0,001). The episodes of patients in the BAD group were higher in a statistically significant way, in terms of seasonal cycle compared to the MD group (<0,001). Considering the Hamilton depression subscales individually; the scores of psychic anxiety, general somatic symptoms and suicide (consideration of life not worth living) were higher in the MD group, compared to the BAD group. In the BAD group, on the other hand, scores of the genital symptoms and retardation were higher in a statistically significant way, compared to the MD group. Scores of depressive mood, guilt thoughts, suicide (consideration of life not worth living), loss of interest in work and activities as before and somatic anxiety were higher in individuals with anxious temperament. Conclusion: As a consequence, this study determined different residual symptoms in the bipolar affective disorder and major depression groups in remission, which shows a parallelism with the previous data. While psychic anxiety, general somatic symptoms and suicidal ideation were generally observed in unipolar depression, sexual side effects and retardation were in the forefront in the BAD group. Regarding patients who applied to the hospital with the first episode of depression, symptoms observed during the episode, case history, and residual depressive symptoms might give information to us about distinguishing the unipolar depression and bipolar disorder depressive episode.