Screening for bipolar disorders: A public health issue

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Mental Health Research
• Diagnostic Tools

Background:

• Bipolar disorder (BD) is a significant public health concern and a leading cause of disability.
• Late diagnosis of BD exacerbates its impact, highlighting the need for early detection methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the utility of screening tools for the early detection of bipolar disorder (BD).
• To evaluate the clinical significance of positive screening results, even in the absence of a formal BD diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of studies utilizing screening questionnaires for bipolar disorder.
• Analysis of characteristics associated with positive screening results and their correlation with clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

• Screening questionnaires for BD exhibit high sensitivity but limited specificity.
• Positive screening results correlate with demographic factors, comorbidities (substance abuse), healthcare utilization, and suicide risk.
• Individuals screening positive, even without a BD diagnosis, report impaired quality of life and, in neurological patients, show distinct brain lesions.

Conclusions:

• Positive screening results may indicate a broader bipolar spectrum, encompassing subthreshold cases relevant to public health.
• These findings suggest that screening tools can identify individuals who may benefit from further clinical attention, even if they do not meet full diagnostic criteria for BD.