Dataset Information

The Effect of Traumatic Events on the Longitudinal Course and Outcomes of Youth with Bipolar Disorder.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Exposure to severe Traumatic Events (TEs) has been associated with poor course and outcomes among individuals with Bipolar Disorder (BD). However, there is limited research on TEs among youth with BD, and few studies are longitudinal. This study prospectively followed a large sample of BD youth, examining the associations of lifetime TEs with their mood and functioning.

Methods

BD participants (n=375; mean age=17; range 8-25y) were assessed, on average, every 7 months for a median 8.7 years. Psychopathology and lifetime trauma history were prospectively evaluated using the Longitudinal Interval Follow-Up Evaluation, and a traumatic events screening.

Results

Accounting for covariates, participants with one or more lifetime TEs (84%) showed earlier BD onset, poorer psychosocial functioning, worse mood symptoms, and more suicidal ideation, comorbidities, and family psychopathology than those without TEs. TEs during recovery periods increased recurrence risk (p<0.02). More TEs were associated with poorer mood course, particularly among victims of violence/abuse (p<0.02). Abused participants (34% physical; 17% sexual) showed earlier onset of substance use disorders, more suicidality and comorbidities compared to those without abuse. Comparisons of mood course before and after abuse occurred, and with participants without abuse, showed worsening mood symptoms after, specifically hypo/mania (p<0.03).

Limitations

Prospective data was gathered longitudinally but assessed retrospectively at every follow-up; given approximate dates causality cannot be inferred; TEs severity was not assessed.

Conclusions

Severe TEs, particularly abuse, were associated with poorer course and outcomes among BD youth. Prompt screening of trauma and early intervention may be warranted to minimize TEs impact.

SUBMITTER: Andreu Pascual M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7365761 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:OBJECTIVE:The authors sought to identify diagnostic risk factors of manic, mixed, or hypomanic episodes in the offspring of parents with bipolar disorder ("high-risk offspring"). METHOD:High-risk offspring 6-18 years old (N=391) and demographically matched offspring (N=248) of community parents without bipolar disorder were assessed longitudinally with standardized diagnostic instruments by staff blind to parental diagnoses. Follow-up assessments were completed in 91% of the offspring (mean follow-up interval, 2.5 years; mean follow-up duration, 6.8 years). RESULTS:Compared with community offspring, high-risk offspring had significantly higher rates of subthreshold mania or hypomania (13.3% compared with 1.2%), manic, mixed, or hypomanic episodes (9.2% compared with 0.8%), and major depressive episodes (32.0% compared with 14.9%). They also had higher rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (30.7% compared with 18.1%), disruptive behavior disorders (27.4% compared with 15.3%), anxiety disorders (39.9% compared with 21.8%), and substance use disorders (19.9% compared with 10.1%), but not unipolar major depressive disorder (major depression with no bipolarity; 18.9% compared with 13.7%). Multivariate Cox regressions showed that in the high-risk offspring, subthreshold manic or hypomanic episodes (hazard ratio=2.29), major depressive episodes (hazard ratio=1.99), and disruptive behavior disorders (hazard ratio=2.12) were associated with subsequent manic, mixed, or hypomanic episodes. Only subthreshold manic or hypomanic episodes (hazard ratio=7.57) were associated when analyses were restricted to prospective data. CONCLUSIONS:Subthreshold manic or hypomanic episodes were a diagnostic risk factor for the development of manic, mixed, or hypomanic episodes in the offspring of parents with bipolar disorder and should be a target for clinical assessment and treatment research. Major depressive episodes and disruptive behavior disorders are also indications for close clinical monitoring of emergent bipolarity in high-risk offspring.