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Screening for bipolar disorder in the community.
Robert M A Hirschfeld1, Joseph R Calabrese, Myrna M Weissman
1Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, 77555-188, USA. rohirsch@utmb.edu
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|February 20, 2003
Summary
Nearly 4% of U.S. adults may have bipolar I or II disorder, a largely underdiagnosed condition. Young adults and low-income individuals face higher risks for this mood disorder.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Bipolar I and II disorders are significant mental health conditions.
- Estimating the prevalence of these disorders in the general population is crucial for public health planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of positive screening for bipolar I and bipolar II disorders in the U.S. adult population.
- To identify demographic factors associated with increased risk.
Main Methods:
- A large-scale survey using the validated Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) was administered to a representative sample of U.S. adults.
- Response rates and nonresponse bias were carefully managed to ensure data accuracy.
Main Results:
- The estimated positive screen rate for bipolar I and II disorders was 3.7% after adjusting for nonresponse bias.
- A significant portion of individuals with positive screens had not received a prior diagnosis, indicating underdiagnosis.
- Positive screens were more common in young adults and individuals from lower-income households.
Conclusions:
- Approximately 3.7% of American adults may have undiagnosed bipolar I or II disorder.
- Younger adults and those with lower socioeconomic status are identified as at-risk populations.
- These findings highlight the need for improved screening and diagnosis of bipolar disorders.