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Bipolar disorder and Crohn's disease
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md 21205.
Insights
This study reports on seven patients with both Crohn's disease and bipolar disorder, finding a strong correlation between the onset of Crohn's disease and affective/manic episodes. The role of prednisone therapy in triggering mania is also explored.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- The relationship between Crohn's disease and psychiatric disorders is under-researched, with limited reports of mania.
- Existing literature highlights a potential link between inflammatory bowel diseases and mental health conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the co-occurrence of Crohn's disease and bipolar disorder.
- To explore potential correlations in the onset of these conditions.
- To examine the influence of Crohn's disease treatments on psychiatric symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Case series describing seven patients with co-existing Crohn's disease and bipolar disorder.
- Statistical analysis of the age of onset for both conditions.
- Review of patient histories, including medication use (prednisone therapy).
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was observed between the age of onset of Crohn's disease and affective disorder (r = .89, p = .016).
- A notable correlation was also found between the onset of Crohn's disease and mania (r = .79, p = .06).
- Four patients experienced manic episodes after receiving prednisone therapy for Crohn's disease.
Conclusions:
- There is a strong association between Crohn's disease and bipolar disorder, particularly concerning the timing of their onset.
- Prednisone therapy may play a role in precipitating manic episodes in susceptible individuals.
- Further research is warranted into common etiologies, steroid effects, and genetic factors linking these disorders.
Abstract:
Despite an extensive literature examining the relationship between Crohn's disease and psychiatric illness, there is only one published report of mania in a patient with Crohn's disease. The authors describe seven patients, six men and one woman, with both bipolar disorder and Crohn's disease. The age at onset of Crohn's disease was highly correlated with the age at onset of affective disorder (r = .89, p = .016) and mania (r = .79, p = .06). Four patients received prednisone therapy for Crohn's disease from 3 to 52 weeks before their first manic episode. The authors discuss the relationship of the two illnesses, including possible common provoking factors, the possible role of steroids, and the genetics of the disorders.