CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND CORRELATES OF LATE LIFE BIPOLAR DISORDER

Bipolar disorder in the elderly could fall into two types: Early onset and late onset type(onset after 50 years old).Earlier studies reported different clinical characteristics and correlates for subtypes of late life bipolar disorder , so that late onset bipolar disorder have more medical co morbidity, less over activity and higher resistance to treatment. This study was designed to explore those postulated differences in clinical and socio demographics among old age individuals with early onset versus those with late onset bipolar disorder. Method: In a cross sectional study 60 elderly with bipolar disorder and a healthy normal control group with mean age of 63/5 years old were recruited. Bipolar disorder was diagnosed using DSMIV-TR. Additionally; Young mania rating scale was used to detect clinical symptoms of resent manic episode. To explore potential correlated factors communication illness rating scale (CIRS), Cognitive failure questionnaire and paykle life event scale were administered to study group. Results: Data analyses showed an increased sexual interest, more sleep disturbance and higher family history for bipolar disorder in patients with early onset type of bipolar disorder. (p=0/05). On the other hand, there were more vascular risk factors especially cerebral strokes among late onset type of bipolar disorder. Discussion: Differences in clinical presentation and correlated factors between early versus late onset type of bipolar disorder lead to the idea of a distinctiveness of late onset type of the disorder. Further studies investigating neurobiological biomarkers and structural neuroimaging are recommended.