Clinical correlates of psychiatric comorbidity in bipolar I patients

Objectives: To ascertain the clinical implications of psychiatric comorbidi ty in the course and outcome of bipolar I patients. Methods. One hundred and twenty-nine bipolar I outpatients in remission [Yo ung Mania Rating Scale (Y-MRS) < 7, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) < 9] were assessed by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-I II-R axis I and axis II (SCID-I and SCID-II) in order to detect all possibl e psychiatric comorbid diagnoses. The sample was split according to the pre sence of psychiatric comorbidity and the groups were compared. Results: Psychiatric comorbidity was detected in 31% of the sample. A highe r number of mixed features, depressive episodes and suicide attempts and a predominance of depressive onset amongst comorbid bipolar patients were the most relevant differences between the two groups. Conclusions: There is an association between depression, suicidality and co morbidity in bipolar I disorder. As comorbidity had a clear relevance in th e course and outcome of bipolar illness, this issue should be specifically assessed in clinical practice.