Bipolar Disorder Versus Unipolar Depressive Disorder in Female Psycho-Oncology Outpatients With Breast Cancer

A substantial number of patients with breast cancer experience psychological challenges, but little is known about the prevalence and characteristics of bipolar disorder (BD) among those with mood disorders. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of BD among psycho-oncology outpatients with breast cancer comorbid with a mood disorder and compare the sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological factors between BD and unipolar depressive disorder (UDD) groups.

Data from 83 female outpatients with breast cancer visiting a psycho-oncology clinic who were diagnosed with mood disorder based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition were analyzed.

The results revealed that 32.5% of the patients were diagnosed with BD, with bipolar II disorder being the most prevalent subtype (81.5%). Patients with BD were more likely to be younger, employed, and have a history of suicide attempts compared to those with UDD. No significant differences were observed in psychiatric symptoms or quality of life between the two groups.

Although thorough psychiatric attention should be provided irrespective of the specific mood disorder diagnosis, these findings highlighted the considerable prevalence of BD among psycho-oncology outpatients with both breast cancer and mood disorder, emphasizing the importance of identifying and addressing this condition within this specific population.