Familial bipolar disorder: preliminary results from the Otago Familial Bipolar Genetic Study

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder as an Epiphenomenon of Comorbid Bipolar Disorder? An Updated Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Bipolar disorder (BD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) comorbidity is an emerging condition in psychiatry, with relevant nosological, clinical, and therapeutic implications.

METHODS

We updated our previous systematic review on epidemiology and standard diagnostic validators (including phenomenology, course of illness, heredity, biological markers, and treatment response) of BD-OCD. Relevant papers published until (and including) 15 October 2023 were identified by searching the electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, and Cochrane Library, according to the PRISMA statement (PROSPERO registration number, CRD42021267685).

RESULTS

We identified 38 new articles, which added to the previous 64 and raised the total to 102. The lifetime comorbidity prevalence ranged from 0.26 to 27.8% for BD and from 0.3 to 53.3% for OCD. The onset of the two disorders appears to be often overlapping, although the appearance of the primary disorder may influence the outcome. Compared to a single diagnosis, BD-OCD exhibited a distinct pattern of OC symptoms typically following an episodic course, occurring in up to 75% of cases (vs. 3%). Notably, these OC symptoms tended to worsen during depressive episodes (78%) and improve during manic or hypomanic episodes (64%). Similarly, a BD course appears to be chronic in individuals with BD-OCD in comparison to patients without. Additionally, individuals with BD-OCD comorbidity experienced more depressive episodes (mean of 8.9 ± 4.2) compared to those without comorbidity (mean of 4.1 ± 2.7).

CONCLUSIONS

We found a greater likelihood of antidepressant-induced manic/hypomanic episodes (60% vs. 4.1%), and mood stabilizers with antipsychotic add-ons emerging as a preferred treatment. In line with our previous work, BD-OCD comorbidity encompasses a condition of greater nosological and clinical complexity than individual disorders.

Prevalence of eating disorders in patients with bipolar disorder: a scoping review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Eating disorder (ED) and bipolar disorder (BD) exhibit certain phenomenological similarities rooted in eating behavior and emotional regulation. However, despite the growing body of research on the comorbidity of ED and BD, scientific data on the concurrent course of these disorders has remained poorly systematized.

AIM

To conduct a scoping review of published data on the prevalence of various types of ED among patients with BD types I and II in the context of the sex and clinical features of the concurrent course of these disorders.

METHODS

The analysis was reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews. The search was conducted in the MEDLINE electronic database. Studies were included if they were focused samples of patients diagnosed with BD and ED, and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth and fifth editions (DSM-IV, DSM-5), or International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, tenth Revision (ICD-10), were used for the verification of the ED and BD diagnoses. The descriptive analysis method was used to summarize the review findings.

RESULTS

A total of 41 studies were selected for the review. Lifetime ED in patients with BD ranged from 2.2% to 31.1%, and the prevalence rates of BD among patients with ED varied from 11.3% to 68.1%. ED nominally had a higher prevalence among individuals with BD type II and females. Additionally, the presence of ED in patients with BD was associated with earlier onset of mood disorder, a higher number of depressive episodes, higher levels of atypical depressive symptoms, suicide attempts, as well as a higher frequency of comorbid obsessive-compulsive and anxiety disorders, addictions, and various metabolic disorders.

CONCLUSION

Despite the high degree of volatility in the results, the prevalence rates of a concurrent course of ED and BD are rather high. For this reason, screening for ED in patients with BD and vice versa holds significant value in the accurate diagnosis and selection of the most effective therapy. The patterns of comorbidity among different types of ED and BD, depending on gender, need further exploration in future research.

Prevalence and Associated Features of Anxiety Disorder Comorbidity in Bipolar Disorder: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression Study

Objective: Bipolar disorder is highly comorbid with anxiety disorders, however current and lifetime comorbidity patterns of each anxiety disorder and their associated features are not well studied. Here, we aimed to conduct a meta-analysis and meta-regression study of current evidence. Method: We searched PubMed to access relevant articles published until September 2015, using the keywords "Bipolar disorder" or "Affective Psychosis" or "manic depressive" separately with "generalized anxiety," "panic disorder," "social phobia," "obsessive compulsive," and "anxiety." Variables for associated features and prevalence of anxiety disorders were carefully extracted. Results: Lifetime any anxiety disorder comorbidity in BD was 40.5%; panic disorder (PD) 18.1%, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) 13.3%, social anxiety disorder (SAD) 13.5% and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) 9.7%. Current any anxiety disorder comorbidity in BD is 38.2%; GAD is 15.2%, PD 13.3%, SAD 11.7%, and OCD 9.9%. When studies reporting data about comorbidities in BDI or BDII were analyzed separately, lifetime any anxiety disorder comorbidity in BDI and BDII were 38% and 34%, PD was 15% and 15%, GAD was 14% and 16.6%, SAD was 8% and 13%, OCD was 8% and 10%, respectively. Current any DSM anxiety disorder comorbidity in BDI or BDII were 31% and 37%, PD was 9% and 13%, GAD was 8% and 12%, SAD was 7% and 11%, and OCD was 8% and 7%, respectively. The percentage of manic patients and age of onset of BD tended to have a significant impact on anxiety disorders. Percentage of BD I patients significantly decreased the prevalence of panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. A higher rate of substance use disorder was associated with greater BD-SAD comorbidity. History of psychotic features significantly affected current PD and GAD. Conclusions: Anxiety disorder comorbidity is high in BD with somewhat lower rates in BDI vs BDII. Age of onset, substance use disorders, and percentage of patients in a manic episode or with psychotic features influences anxiety disorder comorbidity.

The prevalence and predictors of comorbid bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Although some authors have recently investigated the co-occurrence of anxiety and bipolar disorders, the topic remains insufficiently studied. Defining the prevalence and predictors of BD-OCD comorbidity has important nosological, clinical and therapeutic implications.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted on the prevalence and predictors of comorbid BD-OCD. Relevant papers published through March 30th, 2015 were identified searching the electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library.

RESULTS

46 articles met inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of OCD in BD was 17.0% (95% CI 12.7-22.4%), which was comparable to the results reported by the pooled prevalence of BD in OCD (18.35%, 95% CI 13.2-24.8%). With regard to OCD-BD predictors, a higher mean age predicted a lower prevalence of OCD in BD patients. Sub group meta-analyses reported higher OCD prevalence rates in BD children and adolescents (24.2%, compared to 13.5% in adults), in BD-I patients (24.6%, compared to 13.6% in mixed BD patients), and among population-based studies (22.2%, compared to 13.2% in hospital-based studies).

LIMITATIONS

Most studies use retrospective assessment scales with low sensitivity in discriminating true ego-dystonic obsessions from depressive ruminations that may bias results towards an overestimation of obsessive symptom prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS

This first systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence and predictors of comorbid BD-OCD confirms that BD-OCD comorbidity is a common condition in psychiatry with children and adolescents and BD-I patients as the most affected subgroups.

Diagnostic validity of comorbid bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

At least 50% of bipolar disorder (BD) patients have an additional diagnosis, one of the most difficult to manage being obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Defining the nosology of BD-OCD comorbidity has important clinical implications, given that treatments for OCD can worsen BD outcomes.

METHOD

A systematic review was conducted on: i) BD-OCD comorbidity lifetime prevalence and ii) on standard diagnostic validators: phenomenology, course of illness, heredity, biological markers, and treatment response. Relevant papers published through March 30th 2013 were identified searching the electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library.

RESULTS

Sixty-four articles met inclusion criteria. Lifetime comorbidity prevalence was 11-21% in BD patients and 6-10% in OCD patients. Compared to non-comorbid subjects, BD-OCD has a more episodic course of OC symptoms (up to 75% vs. 3%), typically with worsening during depression (78%) and improvement during mania/hypomania (64%), as well as a higher total mean number of depressive episodes (8.9±4.2 vs. 4.1±2.7) and perhaps more antidepressant-induced mania/hypomania (39% vs. 9%).

CONCLUSION

In this first systematic review of BD-OCD comorbidity, it appears that OC symptoms are usually secondary to BD, rather than representing a separate disease.

Evidence of associations between bipolar disorder and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene

OBJECTIVE

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has important roles in neural cell growth and differentiation. Despite multiple lines of evidence suggesting BDNF as a possible contributor to the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder (BD), the results of genetic association studies have been mixed. We hypothesize that BDNF gene polymorphisms may confer increased susceptibility to BD.

METHODS

Using a cohort of multiplex bipolar families, we performed family-based association testing to look for associations between BD and eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from BDNF.

RESULTS

We found associations (p < 0.05) between BD and six of the eight SNPs analysed, including two SNPs not previously investigated in association studies. We were able to replicate associations previously found between BD and the Val66Met polymorphism of BDNF (rs6265) and the SNPs rs1519480 and rs12273363. We also found evidence of an association between rs11030107 and BD that was not found in a previous study.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support the hypothesis that some BDNF gene polymorphisms may be contributing factors in the pathogenesis of BD. Our study also adds to the body of evidence associating the functional Val66Met polymorphism of BDNF with BD.

Schizotypal, schizoid and paranoid characteristics in the biological parents of social anhedonics

Mounting evidence suggests that social anhedonia may be a marker of genetic liability for schizophrenia-spectrum pathology. To examine this hypothesis, we conducted a study of severity of schizotypal, schizoid and paranoid pathology (i.e., Cluster A personality disorders) in the biological parents of individuals with high levels of social anhedonia and healthy controls. Eighty-six individuals with social anhedonia, 89 healthy controls and their biological parents were recruited from a large community. Structured clinical interviews were conducted to obtain Cluster A diagnoses and symptom ratings for parents. The biological parents of socially anhedonic probands had elevated rates of Cluster A disorders (24%) compared with the parents of control probands (12%). Post hoc analyses revealed that these group differences were the result of elevated rates of diagnoses in the fathers of social anhedonic probands, but not the mothers. This finding was replicated when Cluster A symptoms were examined dimensionally. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that social anhedonia is a promising indicator of the genetic vulnerability to schizophrenia-spectrum pathology. The unexpected findings of elevated pathology in fathers, but not mothers of socially anhedonic probands, require further exploration.

A linkage search for joint panic disorder/bipolar genes

There is comorbidity and a possible genetic connection between Bipolar disease (BP) and panic disorder (PD). Genes may exist that increase risk to both PD and BP. We explored this possibility using data from a linkage study of PD (120 multiplex families; 37 had > or =1 BP member). We calculated 2-point lodscores maximized over male and female recombination fractions by classifying individuals with PD and/or BP as affected (PD + BP). Additionally, to shed light on possible heterogeneity, we examine the pedigrees containing a bipolar member (BP+) separately from those that do not (BP-), using a Predivided-Sample Test (PST). Linkage evidence for common genes for PD + BP was obtained on chromosomes 2 (lodscore = 4.6) and chromosome 12 (lodscore = 3.6). These locations had already been implicated using a PD-only diagnosis, although at both locations this was larger when a joint PD + BP diagnosis was used. Examining the BP+ families and BP- families separately indicates that both BP+ and BP- pedigrees are contributing to the peaks on chromosomes 2 and 12. However, the PST indicates different evidence of linkage is obtained from BP+ and BP- pedigrees on chromosome 13. Our findings are consistent with risk loci for the combined PD + BP phenotype on chromosomes 2 and 12. We also obtained evidence of heterogeneity on chromosome 13. The regions on chromosomes 12 and 13 identified here have previously been implicated as regions of interest for multiple psychiatric disorders, including BP.

Subcortical volumetric correlates of anxiety in familial pediatric bipolar disorder: a preliminary investigation

Anxiety is a common comorbid condition in pediatric bipolar disorder (BD). However, there is little known about the effects of comorbidity on brain morphometry in this population. The aim of the present study was to examine subcortical correlates of anxiety in familial pediatric BD. The subject group comprised 120 children (mean age=12+/-3.3 years) with at least one parent diagnosed with BD. Bipolar offspring with BD were compared with bipolar offspring without BD on a measure of overall lifetime anxiety. A sub-sample of 20 bipolar offspring with BD (mean age=14.6+/-2.8 years) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a 3-T scanner. Correlational analyses were conducted between hippocampal and amygdalar volumes, and anxiety scores. The results showed significantly higher anxiety in bipolar offspring with BD compared to bipolar offspring without BD. There was a significant negative association between total hippocampal volume and anxiety scores. No significant association was found between total amygdalar volume and anxiety scores. Clinically, these findings suggest that anxiety comorbidity needs to be properly assessed and treated in the management of pediatric BD. This is the first study to show a negative association between hippocampal volume and anxiety in this population. The overlap between anxiety and familial pediatric BD suggests that anxiety may be one important area of future research in parsing out the heterogeneous nature and complex etiology of early-onset BD.

Bipolar obsessive-compulsive disorder and personality disorders

OBJECTIVES

Relatively few systematic data exist on the clinical impact of bipolar comorbidity in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and no studies have investigated the influence of such a comorbidity on the prevalence and pattern of Axis II comorbidity. The aim of the present study was to explore the comorbidity of personality disorders in a group of patients with OCD and comorbid bipolar disorder (BD).

METHODS

The sample consisted of 204 subjects with a principal diagnosis of OCD (DSM-IV) and a Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) score>or=16 recruited from all patients consecutively referred to the Anxiety and Mood Disorders Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin over a period of 5 years (January 1998-December 2002). Diagnostic evaluation and Axis I comorbidities were collected by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I). Personality status was assessed by using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Disorders (SCID-II). Socio-demographic and clinical features (including Axis II comorbidities) were compared between OCD patients with and without a lifetime comorbidity of BD.

RESULTS

A total of 21 patients with OCD (10.3%) met DSM-IV criteria for a lifetime BD diagnosis: 4 (2.0%) with BD type I and 17 (8.3%) with BD type II. Those without a BD diagnosis showed significantly higher rates of male gender, sexual and hoarding obsessions, repeating compulsions and lifetime comorbid substance use disorders, when compared with patients with BD/OCD. With regard to personality disorders, those with BD/OCD showed higher prevalence rates of Cluster A (42.9% versus 21.3%; p=0.027) and Cluster B (57.1% versus 29.0%; p=0.009) personality disorders. Narcissistic and antisocial personality disorders were more frequent in BD/OCD.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results point towards clinically relevant effects of comorbid BD on the personality profiles of OCD patients, with higher rates of narcissistic and antisocial personality disorders in BD/OCD patients.

Comorbidity of eating disorders with bipolar disorder and treatment implications

OBJECTIVES

To review the scientific evidence examining the comorbidity among eating disorders and bipolar disorder (BD).

METHODS

We reviewed all published English-language studies addressing the comorbidity of anorexia nervosa, bulimia, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder in patients with BD and studies of comorbidity of BD in patients with eating disorders. In addition, we discuss the pharmacologic treatment implications from reviewed studies of agents used in BD and eating disorders.

RESULTS

Community and clinical population studies of the lifetime prevalence rates of eating disorders in patients with BD, and of BD in patients with eating disorders, particularly when subthreshold and spectrum manifestations of these disorders are included, indicate high rates of comorbidity among these illnesses.

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmacologic treatment approaches to patients with BD and a co-occurring eating disorder require examination of the possible adverse effects of the treatment of each syndrome on the other and attempts to manage both syndromes with agents that might be beneficial to both.

Panic comorbidity with bipolar disorder: what is the manic-panic connection?

CONTEXT

Bipolar/panic comorbidity has been observed in clinical, community and familial samples. As both are episodic disorders of affect regulation, the common pathophysiological mechanism is likely to involve deficits in amygdala-mediated, plasticity-dependent emotional conditioning.

EVIDENCE

Neuronal genesis and synaptic remodeling occur in the amygdala; bipolar and panic disorders have both been associated with abnormality in the amygdala and related structures, as well as in molecules that modulate plasticity, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF). These biological elements are involved in behavioral conditioning to threat and reward.

MODEL

Panic attacks resemble the normal acute fear response, but are abnormally dissociated from any relevant threat. Abnormal reward-seeking behavior is central to both manic and depressive syndromes. Appetites can be elevated or depressed; satisfaction of a drive may fail to condition future behavior. These dissociations may be the result of deficits in plasticity-dependent processes of conditioning within different amygdala subregions.

CONCLUSIONS

This speculative model may be a useful framework with which to connect molecular, cellular, anatomic and behavioral processes in panic and bipolar disorders. The primary clinical implication is that behavioral treatment may be critical to restore function in some bipolar patients who respond only partially to medications.

Comorbidity of bipolar and eating disorders: distinct or related disorders with shared dysregulations?

BACKGROUND

The co-occurrence of bipolar and eating disorders, though of major clinical and public health importance, remains relatively unexamined.

METHODS

In reviewing the literature on this comorbidity, we compared bulimia, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorders and bipolar disorders on phenomenology, course, family history, biology, and treatment response.

RESULTS

Epidemiological studies show an association between subthreshold bipolar disorder and eating disorders in adolescents, and between hypomania and eating disorders, especially binge eating behavior, in adults. Of the clinical studies, most show that patients with bipolar disorder have elevated rates of eating disorders, and vice versa. Finally, the phenomenology, course, comorbidity, family history, and pharmacologic treatment response of these disorders show considerable overlap on all of these parameters. In particular, on phenomenologic grounds--eating dysregulation, mood dysregulation, impulsivity and compulsivity, craving for activity and/or exercise--we find many parallels between bipolar and eating disorders. Overall, the similarities between these disorders were more apparent when examined in their spectrum rather than full-blown expressions.

LIMITATIONS

Despite an extensive literature on each of these disorders, studies examining their overlap across all these parameters are relatively sparse and insufficiently systematic.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonetheless, the reviewed literature leaves little doubt that bipolar and eating disorders--particularly bulimia nervosa and bipolar II disorder--are related. Although several antidepressants and mood stabilizers have shown promise for eating disorders, their clinical use when these disorders co-exist with bipolarity is still very much of an art. We trust that this review will stimulate more rigorous research in their shared putative underlying psychobiologic mechanisms which, in turn, could lead to more rational targeted treatments.

Affective disorders in the first-degree relatives of bipolar probands: results from the South Island Bipolar Study

The current study was performed to document observed rates of affective disorders in the first degree relatives of probands with bipolar I or II disorder; to determine whether bipolar II probands have an excess of bipolar II relatives; and to determine whether bipolar probands with a history of one or more suicide attempts have more relatives who have also made suicide attempts. Bipolar probands with positive family histories of affective disorder were recruited from a variety of sources for a study on the molecular genetics of bipolar disorder. Probands and relatives were interviewed with the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies (DIGS) and blood was obtained for DNA extraction and genetic analyses. Among 423 first-degree adult relatives of 153 bipolar probands, 7% (29) had bipolar I disorder, 7% had bipolar II disorder, and 7% had bipolar not otherwise specified (NOS) disorder, making 21% of relatives with any bipolar disorder. A further 42% of relatives had a depressive disorder and only 38% had no affective disorder. A suicide attempt by a proband was not associated with any increase in suicide attempts by relatives. We conclude that while unipolar depressive disorders are the most common affective disorders in the first-degree relatives of bipolar probands, extension of the bipolar phenotype to include bipolar spectrum disorders results in 21% of relatives having any bipolar disorder.

Trends in Maori mental health in Otago

OBJECTIVE

This paper outlines the methods used, and preliminary descriptive data collected, in a study on a cohort of Maori and non-Maori patients admitted to the inpatient psychiatric services in Otago between 1990 and 1992.

METHOD

The notes of 42 Maori and 217 non-Maori first admissions to psychiatric inpatients were reviewed. Information concerning this admission was entered onto a database and analysed.

RESULTS

The Maori admission rate was 4 per 1000 compared with 1 per 1000 for non-Maori people. This was higher than expected based on Otago population figures. Rates of family psychiatric history did not differ between Maori and non-Maori. Although Maori were found to have higher rates of social welfare support and were more likely to have no academic qualifications the differences were not significant. The sources of referral for Maori admissions were more likely to be from the law, and Maori were more likely to have had prior psychiatric inpatient treatment. The most common diagnosis for Maori and non-Maori was depressive disorders, and suicidal behaviour was common.

CONCLUSIONS

Maori are overrepresented among first psychiatric inpatient admissions in Otago. They appear to be a more disadvantaged group with respect to financial support, academic qualifications and other health problems. The most common diagnosis did not differ between Maori and non-Maori cohorts.