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Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of people with oldest older age bipolar disorder in a global sample: Results from the global aging and geriatric experiments in bipolar disorder project.

Authors :
Chen, Peijun
Sajatovic, Martha
Briggs, Farren B. S.
Mulsant, Benoit
Dols, Annemiek A.
Gildengers, Ariel
Yala, Joy
Beunders, Alexandra J. M.
Blumberg, Hilary P.
Rej, Soham
Forlenza, Orestes V.
Jimenez, Esther
Schouws, Sigfried
Orhan, Melis
Sutherland, Ashley N.
Vieta, Eduard
Tsai, Shangying
Sarna, Kaylee
Eyler, Lisa T.
Source :
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. Feb2024, Vol. 39 Issue 2, p1-11. 11p.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Objects: Studies of older age bipolar disorder (OABD) have mostly focused on "younger old" individuals. Little is known about the oldest OABD (OOABD) individuals aged ≥70 years old. The Global Aging and Geriatric Experiments in Bipolar Disorder (GAGE‐BD) project provides an opportunity to evaluate the OOABD group to understand their characteristics compared to younger groups. Methods: We conducted cross‐sectional analyses of the GAGE‐BD database, an integrated, harmonized dataset from 19 international studies. We compared the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of those aged <50 (YABD, n = 184), 50–69 (OABD, n = 881), and ≥70 (OOABD, n = 304). To standardize the comparisons between age categories and all characteristics, we used multinomial logistic regression models with age category as the dependent variable, with each characteristic as the independent variable, and clustering of standard errors to account for the correlation between observations from each of the studies. Results: OOABD and OABD had lower severity of manic symptoms (Mean YMRS = 3.3, 3.8 respectively) than YABD (YMRS = 7.6), and lower depressive symptoms (% of absent = 65.4%, and 59.5% respectively) than YABD (18.3%). OOABD and OABD had higher physical burden than YABD, especially in the cardiovascular domain (prevalence = 65% in OOABD, 41% in OABD and 17% in YABD); OOABD had the highest prevalence (56%) in the musculoskeletal domain (significantly differed from 39% in OABD and 31% in YABD which didn't differ from each other). Overall, OOABD had significant cumulative physical burden in numbers of domains (mean = 4) compared to both OABD (mean = 2) and YABD (mean = 1). OOABD had the lowest rates of suicidal thoughts (10%), which significantly differed from YABD (26%) though didn't differ from OABD (21%). Functional status was higher in both OOABD (GAF = 63) and OABD (GAF = 64), though only OABD had significantly higher function than YABD (GAF = 59). Conclusions: OOABD have unique features, suggesting that (1) OOABD individuals may be easier to manage psychiatrically, but require more attention to comorbid physical conditions; (2) OOABD is a survivor cohort associated with resilience despite high medical burden, warranting both qualitative and quantitative methods to better understand how to advance clinical care and ways to age successfully with BD. Key points: Limited knowledge of older and oldest older age bipolar disorder derived from limited sample sizes.The Global Aging and Geriatric Experiments in Bipolar Disorder consortium provided international data to compare younger age, older age, and oldest older age people with BDInternational sites (n = 14) provided data on patients aged <50 (n = 184 YABD), 50–69 (n = 881 OABD), and ≥70 (n = 304 OOABD) to assess differences among three groupsOABD and OOABD represent distinct cohorts within BD and differ in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics from YABD in general. OOABD individuals may be easier to manage psychiatrically but require more attention to their comorbid physical conditions. OOABD likely is a survivor cohort associated with resilience despite high medical burden, warranting future study using both qualitative and quantitative methods to better understand what makes OOABD resilient, how to advance clinical care and age successfully with BD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
08856230
Volume :
39
Issue :
2
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
175642911
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.6073