The influence of social, psychological, and cognitive factors on the clinical course in older patients with bipolar disorder

Objectives Research on factors that contribute to recurrence in older adults with bipolar disorder (OABD) is sparse. Previous research showed that clinical factors (e.g., age of onset, lifetime psychotic features, and suicide risk) were not associated with the recurrence in OABD. In younger adults, worse social functioning, coping style, and worse cognitive functioning are found to be associated with an unfavorable course of bipolar disorder. Therefore, this study is focusing on social, psychological, and cognitive factors in OABD. More insight in these factors is essential in order to develop and further specify preventive and treatment interventions. Methods Data were used from the Dutch Older Bipolars (DOBi) cohort study. We included 64 patients for 3-year follow-up measurements, who were divided in a recurrent group and a nonrecurrent group. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess associations between social, psychological, and cognitive factors, and nonrecurrence. Results 39.1% reported at least one recurrence during the 3-year follow-up period. No significant associations were found between the social, psychological, and cognitive factors and having a recurrence during the follow-up period. Discussion Participants in the recurrent group were younger, more often female and less likely to have children. Our results suggest that results from the adult bipolar disorder population cannot be extrapolated to OABD patients, underlining the need for longitudinal studies in OABD.

Automated summary

Research on factors contributing to recurrence in older adults with bipolar disorder is limited. This study focused on social, psychological, and cognitive factors in older adults with bipolar disorder, finding no significant associations between these factors and recurrence. Results suggest that findings from the adult bipolar disorder population may not be applicable to older adults with bipolar disorder, emphasizing the need for longitudinal studies in this population.