Cognitive performance and quality of life early in the course of bipolar disorder

Several studies have reported cognitive functioning as a significant predictor of quality of life (QoL) in patients with established bipolar disorder (BD), in addition to mood symptoms. However, it is unclear whether cognitive functioning predicts QoL early in the course of illness. The purpose of this study was therefore to evaluate the relationship between mood and neuropsychological variables and self-reported QoL early in the course of BD.

Patients with BD-I (n=54) completed a neuropsychological battery and clinical assessment within 3 months of resolution of their first manic episode. QoL was assessed 6 months later using the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q). Cognitive predictors of QoL were assessed through Pearson correlations and hierarchical multiple regression.

After accounting for mood rating scores at the time of cognitive testing (ΔR²=.27, p<.001), measures of sustained attention (ΔR²=.08, p<.05), verbal memory (ΔR²=.09, p<.01), working memory (ΔR²=.06, p<.05), and executive functioning (ΔR²=.08, p<.05) each predicted QoL when entered independently in separate regression models. When entered simultaneously, the cognitive domains explained 15% (R(2)=.42, p<.05) of the variance in QoL beyond mood.

Some aspects of QoL that are particularly important in BD may be missing as a result of using the Q-LES-Q, because the measure was not specifically developed to assess QoL in BD.

In addition to mood symptoms, poorer cognitive functioning is a significant predictor of reduced QoL early in the course of BD. Recently diagnosed patients with BD may benefit from early cognitive-enhancing interventions to maintain or restore their QoL.