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Seasonal variation in bipolar disorder
1Department of Mental Health, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland.
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Bipolar disorder admissions show no overall seasonal pattern. However, first admissions for depressive episodes are more common in autumn than manic episodes, suggesting a potential seasonal influence on initial depressive onset.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Chronobiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Seasonal patterns are often observed in psychiatric admissions for bipolar disorder.
- This study investigates seasonal variations in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia admissions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine seasonal variations in hospital admissions for bipolar disorder.
- To compare these patterns with seasonal admission rates for schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register (1969-1991).
- Included patients with bipolar disorder (n=295) and schizophrenia (n=295) with first admission before age 30.
- Compared admission seasonality between the two disorders.
Main Results:
- No significant seasonal variation was found for overall hospital admissions in either bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
- First admissions for depressive episodes in bipolar disorder occurred significantly more often in autumn (33%) compared to manic episodes (21%).
- The peak difference in admission timing was observed shortly after the autumnal equinox in September.
Conclusions:
- The study indicates no general seasonal variation in bipolar disorder hospital admissions.
- Findings suggest a potential influence of autumn on the likelihood of a first admission for a depressive episode in bipolar disorder patients.