Axis II comorbidity in euthymic bipolar disorder patients: No differences between bipolar I and II subtypes

作者：Rosso Gianluca; Albert Umberto; Bogetto Filippo; Maina Giuseppe^*

来源：Journal of Affective Disorders, 2009, 115(1-2): 257-261.

DOI：10.1016/j.jad.2008.08.009

• Bipolar I disorder
• Bipolar II disorder
• Personality disorders
• Comorbidity

Background: Bipolar disorder type II (BDII) has been considered since its distinction from bipolar disorder type I (BDI) as a milder form, on the basis of cross-sectional symptoms intensity. Longitudinal data, on the contrary, do Suggest that it is at least as severe as BDI, if not even more chronic and impairing. Few studies investigated differences in Axis II comorbidity in bipolar disorder patients according to bipolar subtypes, and none examined patients during prolonged euthymia. The aim Of the Study was to determine comorbidity rates for personality disorders in euthymic bipolar subjects, comparing bipolar type I and 11 disorders (BDI and BDII).
Methods: 186 DSM-IV (SCID-I) bipolar disorder subjects were enrolled; all patients were euthymic for at least two months, as confirmed by a HAM-D<8 and a YMRS<6. Axis II comorbidity was evaluated through SCID-II. Differences in Axis 11 comorbidity rates were examined with the Pearson's Chi-square test.
Results: Of the subjects included, 71 had BDI and 115 BDII. At least a personality disorder was present in 42.5% of all bipolars, 43.7% of BDI and 41.7% of BDII. No differences were detected between the two Subgroups for any single personality disorder.
Limitations: We relied only on the patients' reports in assessing personality disorders; the sample was made of subjects referred to a tertiary centre who were able to maintain euthymia.
Conclusions: Our study confirms the high comorbidity rates for personality disorders in bipolar subjects and provides evidence that BDII, with regard to Axis II comorbidity, is as severe as BDI.

• 出版日期2009-5