Functional Ability of Clients with Bipolar Disorders in Tertiary Hospital, Puducherry

Bipolar Disorder (BD) is a common long standing mental illness which is episodic in nature, affecting approximately1-2% of the world adult population. BD frequently affects the patient's life. Few studies have examined the functional impairment in patients with affective illness. The main objective of the current study was to assess specific domains of functioning as well as the overall functioning of the clients with BD.

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the level of function among the clients with BD in JIPMER Hospital, Puducherry during 2015-2016 and to identify the socio- demographic and clinical factors associated with the level of functioning. Ninety clients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of having the diagnosis of BD were selected after written informed consents were obtained. After collecting basic demographic and clinical variables, function was assessed using 2 different sets of tools LIFE-RIFT and FAST. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20. Independent sample t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation were used as different statistical methods. A P value less than .05 was considered as statistically significant.

Based on the results, the functional level assessed using LIFE -RIFT showed a mean score of 26.7±4.7for the admitted clients and 21±12.5 for outpatients. The functional level of clients was significantly related to admission and remission status of the clients with a P=0.001 Similarly, FAST scale score for the admitted clients was 51±4.5, clients on remission had 24±12.1 with a P=0.001.

Results revealed that even during remission the clients with BD had functional impairment. More interventions are needed to improve the functional ability of clients with BD.