Chronbiologically-based sub-groups in bipolar I disorder: A latent profile analysis.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Chronobiology
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Bipolar disorder (BDI) exhibits significant heterogeneity.
• Identifying homogeneous subgroups within BDI is crucial for targeted treatments.
• Circadian rhythm disturbances are implicated in bipolar disorder's complex presentation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the classification of bipolar disorder type I (BDI) subjects into homogeneous subgroups.
• To determine if activity, sleep, and circadian characteristics can differentiate BDI subgroups.
• To test the hypothesis that circadian markers primarily define BDI subgroups.

Main Methods:

• Latent profile analysis (LPA) was employed to stratify 105 BDI individuals.
• Seventeen activity, sleep, and circadian variables were assessed using actigraphy and clinical evaluations.
• Demographic, clinical, and medication data were collected for comparative analysis.

Main Results:

• Two distinct subgroups were identified: High Chronobiological Disturbance (HCD) and Low Chronobiological Disturbance (LCD).
• Circadian variables were the primary determinants differentiating the HCD and LCD subgroups, showing large effect sizes.
• No significant differences were found in demographics, current psychiatric medications, or mood state between the subgroups.

Conclusions:

• Latent profile analysis successfully identified BDI subgroups, with circadian variables being the most distinguishing factors.
• Circadian characteristics play a significant role in defining BDI sub-phenotypes.
• Further longitudinal research is recommended to confirm the stability of these identified subgroups.