Cardiometabolic risk indicators in individuals with bipolar disorders: a replication study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Psychiatry
• Metabolic Health

Background:

• Bipolar disorders (BDs) are associated with increased cardiometabolic risk.
• Previous longitudinal studies suggest worsening cardiometabolic risk indicators (CMRIs) in BDs.
• Validation of these findings in an independent cohort is necessary.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate findings from a prior longitudinal study on CMRIs in individuals with BDs.
• To compare the progression of CMRIs between a cohort with BDs and a control group.
• To assess changes in body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and blood pressure over time.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the St. Göran project's Gothenburg cohort.
• Employed a case-control design with baseline and follow-up assessments (median 8 years for BDs, 7 years for controls).
• Applied multiple imputation for missing data and linear mixed effects models to analyze annual changes in CMRIs.

Main Results:

• At baseline, individuals with BDs had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) compared to controls.
• Over the study period, individuals with BDs showed a greater annual increase in waist-to-hip ratio, diastolic blood pressure, and systolic blood pressure relative to controls.
• The study included 407 individuals with BDs and 56 controls at baseline, with 63 BDs and 42 controls at follow-up.

Conclusions:

• This study replicated previous findings, demonstrating a worsening of central obesity and blood pressure over time in individuals with BDs compared to controls.
• Clinicians should proactively monitor CMRIs in individuals with BDs.
• Early intervention and prevention strategies are vital to mitigate cardiometabolic disease risk in this population.