The role of affective temperaments in bipolar disorder: The solid role of the cyclothymic, the contentious role of the hyperthymic, and the neglected role of the irritable temperaments

BackgroundThe aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of individual affective temperaments as clinical predictors of bipolarity in the clinical setting. MethodsThe affective temperaments of 1723 consecutive adult outpatients presenting for various symptoms to a university-based mental health clinical setting were assessed. Patients were administered the Hypomania Checklist-32 and the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego - Auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-A) and were diagnosed by psychiatrists according to the DSM-5 criteria. TEMPS-A scores were studied as both continuous and normalized categorical z-scores from a previously established nationwide study on the general population of Lebanon. Simple and multiple binary logistic regressions were done on patients who have any of the DSM-5 defined bipolar types, as a combined group or separately, versus patients without any bipolar diagnosis. ResultsAt the multivariable level and taking into account all temperaments, the irritable temperament is a consistent predictor of bipolar I and bipolar II disorders. Cyclothymic temperament also played a strong role in bipolarity but more decisively so in bipolar II and substance-induced bipolarity. The hyperthymic temperament had no role in bipolar I or bipolar II disorder.

Automated summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of individual affective temperaments as clinical predictors of bipolarity. A total of 1723 adult outpatients were assessed using various tools, and the results showed that irritable temperament is a consistent predictor of bipolar I and II disorders. Cyclothymic temperament also played a strong role in bipolarity, especially in bipolar II and substance-induced bipolarity, while hyperthymic temperament had no role in bipolar I or II disorder.