Eight-month functional outcome from mania following a first psychiatric hospitalization

• Published in: Journal of psychiatric research Vol. 34; no. 3; pp. 193 - 200
• Main Authors: Strakowski, Stephen M, Williams, Jamie R, Fleck, David E, Delbello, Melissa P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2000; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Bipolar disorder; Bipolar Disorder - psychology; Bipolar Disorder - therapy; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Female; First-episode; Follow-Up Studies; Functional recovery; Hospitalization; Humans; Institution therapy. Inpatient treatment; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Medical sciences; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychosocial outcome; Recovery of Function; Recreation - psychology; Role; Sex; Treatments; United States; United States; First-episode; Bipolar disorder; Functional recovery; Psychosocial outcome; Mood disorder; Human; Treatment efficiency; Sexual behavior; Social adjustment; Hospitalization; Recreational activity; Treatment; Criterion; Follow up study; Mania; Social role; Clinical investigation; Inaugural sign; Interpersonal relation
• ISSN: 0022-3956; 1879-1379
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-3956(00)00015-7

The aim of this study was to identify how different areas of function (role performance, interpersonal relationships, sexual activity and recreational enjoyment) differentially recover from a manic episode during the 8 months following a first psychiatric hospitalization. Fifty patients with bipolar disorder, 16–45 years of age, who met the criteria for a current manic episode were recruited during their first psychiatric hospitalization. Forty-two (84%) of these participated in follow-up. Patients were evaluated using structured and semi-structured clinical instruments and the four areas of functional outcome were assessed with the LIFE interview. Recovery of the four areas of function were compared using survival and correlational analyses. Logistic regression identified factors associated with functional outcome. The four aspects of function were not significantly intercorrelated at baseline or during follow-up. Moreover, the survival curves for the different areas of function significantly differed. Specifically, patients demonstrated better recovery of sexual activity and worse recovery of recreational enjoyment than the other areas of function. Different clinical and demographic variables predicted recovery of the different areas of function. In conclusion, following a first manic episode, recovery of psychosocial function can be divided into separate components, i.e., role function, interpersonal relationships, sexual activity and recreational enjoyment, that appear to be relatively independent. Further clarification of recovery of these different areas of function may lead to better integrated treatments that maximize functional improvement early in the course of bipolar disorder.