Descriptive study of the occupational outcome of bipolar patients

The purpose of this study was to describe the occupational outcome of bipolar patients 3 years after being hospitalized in a psychiatry department, and the determinants of this outcome.

One hundred and one bipolar patients consecutively hospitalized between 1st January 2002 and 31st December 2003, were recruited. Their occupations and medical items were assessed at baseline from the medical records and reassessed 3 years later, using a questionnaire on their work and treatment, and a quality of life scale. Occupational outcome was compared by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Of the 101 patients initially recruited, 36 were excluded and 34 were lost to follow-up. Among the 31 bipolar patients included in the study, 58.1% were working in 2003 and 54.8% were working in 2006. The presence of a personality disorder was significantly associated with a poorer occupational outcome and a lower rate of "return to work".

More than half of a population of hospitalized bipolar patients was employed. The presence of a personality disorder appeared to be a pejorative factor for "return to work", although other studies are needed to define the factors that determine the occupational outcome of bipolar patients.