A Cross-sectional Study to Estimate Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with Bipolar Disorder

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• Cardiovascular mortality and comorbidity are increasingly recognized in bipolar disorder (BD).
• The Framingham 10-year risk score is a standard measure for estimating cardiovascular risk.
• Limited data exists on coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in Indian BD populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the 10-year cardiovascular risk in a BD population using the Framingham risk score.
• To compare cardiovascular risk between BD patients and a healthy control group.
• To identify factors associated with increased cardiovascular risk in BD.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional analysis of prospective study data was performed.
• 50 BD patients (aged 20-60) were assessed for demographic and clinical variables.
• Cardiovascular risk was calculated using the Framingham 10-year risk questionnaire and compared to controls.

Main Results:

• The 10-year cardiovascular event risk was 3.26% in BD patients versus 2.02% in controls.
• Higher age at onset, waist-hip ratio, total cholesterol, and unemployment correlated positively with CHD risk.
• Valproate, lithium, higher socioeconomic/educational status, and non-smoking were negatively associated with CHD risk.

Conclusions:

• A significant association exists between bipolar disorder and metabolic factors, CHD, and sociodemographic variables.
• The Framingham risk score effectively predicts cardiovascular disease in BD patients.
• These findings highlight the need for proactive cardiovascular risk management in BD populations.