Study of socio-demographic profile, phenomenology, course and outcome of bipolar disorder in Indian population

Abstract

Context: Though many researchers have made an attempt to study the phenomenology, clinical syndromes, course of bipolar mood disorder. However there was no orderliness in the research pursuit of understanding this disorder in the Indian context. Aims: Assessment of socio-demographic profile, age of onset, phenomenology, course and outcome of patients with bipolar disorder in south Indian population. Settings and Design : This prospective-retrospective study was done in a general hospital psychiatric unit including both out-patient and in-patients. Materials and Methods : All patients were diagnosed with bipolar disorder during out- and in-patient setting was evaluated by using the semi-structured questionnaires and standard tools for socio-demographic profile, age of onset, phenomenology and course and outcome in-patients with bipolar disorder. Results: In 100 bipolar patients socio-demographic data suggest mean age of presentation was 34 years, with majority being males, married, belonging to Hindu religion and were from rural background. Mean age of onset of illness was 27 years total mean number of episodes were 5.26 ± 7.4 (mania: 3.72 ± 5.2, depression: 2.1 ± 1.3). Majority had 2-5 episode (n = 62) commonly followed by recurrent mania (n = 22). Mean duration of symptoms were 116.2 ± 145.2 days in depression and 109.3 ± 124.9 days in mania. Two-third reduction in symptomatology was seen in 80% of in-patients at the time of discharge. Conclusions : Recurrent mania was a commonly observed phenomenon and duration of suffering in both phases (depression and mania) was nearly 4 months. We need long-term follow-up of these group of patients for better course and outcome data from developing country.