University of Helsinki - Research news
UH: Treatment of bipolar disorder needs to be upgraded
Few people suffering from bipolar disorder receive appropriate medical care.
Moderate hypomania is not always recognised. Few people suffering from bipolar disorder receive appropriate medical care in the acute phases of the disease, reveals a study conducted at the Department of Psychiatry, Jorvi Hospital.
The study included 191 patients, 42 per cent of whom had received appropriate medication during the acute phase. Most often the disease was misdiagnosed.
Bipolar disorder comprises episodes of severe depression and mania. Medication alleviates the acute phases and prevents relapse.
- Moderate manic episodes or hypomania are not always recognised during treatment or patients do not even seek help until the depressive episode hits them. Therefore, it is important as part of the diagnosis to learn about the history of a depressed patient. But this is often ignored because of time constraints, says Professor of Psychiatry Erkki Isometsä from the University of Helsinki.
According to the study, qualitative problems in the treatment can accumulate during out-patient care. Depressive episodes were often treated as ordinary depression. However, antidepressants can induce manic episodes, which makes it all the more important to distinguish between ordinary depression and a depressive episode in bipolar disorder. Researchers recommend screening methods to support diagnosing.
- Simple screening methods can be of great help, and screening really should become a routine at doctors' offices. Structured interviews could also help.
Patients could keep mood diaries, which would make it easier to monitor the progress of the disease. A diary gives an idea of the patient¿s mood swings, which is important as the symptoms can change over the course of a few days.
The Isometsä-led Jorvi Bipolar Study (JoBS) is part of a joint research project between the University of Helsinki, the National Public Health Institute and the Helsinki University Central Hospital. Dissertations in the field will provide further information.
- Psychiatrist Hanna Valtonen has just completed her doctoral dissertation on suicidal behaviour in bipolar disorder, and Outi Mantere's dissertation on the diagnostics of bipolar disorder will be published later this spring. The dissertation by Petri Arvilommi will discuss treatment issues.
Text: Niina Viitanen
Photo: University of Helsinki
Translation: Valtasana Oy
