Bipolar sensation seeking is associated with a propensity to abuse rather than to temperamental characteristics

Objective. As some temperament profiles may be markers of genetic vulnerabi lity traits, we aimed to compare sensation seeking in euthymic bipolar pati ents and in controls. Methods. One hundred ninety-four patients fulfilling DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorders (BP), 81% of whom presente d type IBP, and 95 controls were included in this study. Euthymia was asses sed using both the MADRS and Bech mania scales. Subjects were evaluated usi ng the French abbreviated form of Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS) , which provide a total score (TS) and four subscores: Thrill and Adventure Seeking (TAS), Experience Seeking (ES), Disinhibition (Dis), and Boredom S usceptibility (BS). Results. SSS total score differed significantly between men (17.2 +/- 0.5) and women (15.3 +/- 0.6) (P = 0.02) and all the subscor es were negatively correlated with age. On adjustement for sex and age, we found that bipolar patients had a high Dis score (P = 0.003). However, if t he same analysis was performed with a lifetime history of alcohol abuse or dependence as a covariable, no such difference was found (P = 0.436). The S SS demonstrated a high degree of test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.91). Conc lusion. These results suggest that sensation seeking assessed with the SSS is not a temperament characteristic associated with bipolar disorders but I s instead linked to a tendency towards alcohol abuse. (C) 2001 editions sci entifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.