Gender differences in bipolar II and unipolar depressed outpatients: a 557-case study

The aim of the present report was to study gender differences in bipolar II and in unipolar depressed outpatients. Consecutive 557 bipolar II and unipolar outpatients presenting for treatment of depression were interviewed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale, and the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale. Atypical features were significantly more common in bipolar II and in unipolar females than in males, in bipolar II females than in unipolar females, and in bipolar II males than in unipolar males. Female gender was significantly associated with atypical features, but not with diagnosis. Age at intake/onset, duration of illness, severity, recurrences, psychosis, and chronicity were not significantly different in bipolar II and in unipolar females and males (apart from comorbidity). Age at onset was significantly lower in bipolar II females than in unipolar females. This difference was not related to the higher prevalence of atypical features in bipolar II females.