Cardiometabolic Comorbidity in Bipolar Disorder

Abstract

Introduction

In the last years, there has been increased concerning about cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality in bipolar patients.

Aim

To review the literature about prevalence, risk factors and treatment of cardiometabolic diseases in patients with bipolar disorder.

Methods

Searches were undertaken in PubMed and other databases, from 2009 to 2014, using keywords ‘bipolar disorder', ‘cardiometabolic', ‘riskfactors', ‘treatment'.

Results

Several studies have shown that diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia and hypertension are more prevalent among patients with bipolar disorder than in the general population, and that they are under-diagnosed andunder-treated in these patients. Their higher risk is related to several factors, including medications (e.g. second generation of antipsychotics) and changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and inflammatory pathways. The mechanisms underlying these alterations are the focus for new treatments. Recent interventions in these population integrates psychiatric and medical care.

Conclusions

Availabe data support the high prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases in bipolar patients. New and future interventions to reduce cardiovascular risks are very important concerns of psychiatric and medical approaches.