P0136 - Frequency of comorbidity between bipolar disorder and substance abuse

Abstract

Aim:

We want to study comorbidity between substance abuse and bipolar disorder in patients who have been examined in psychiatric department as outpatients.

Material:

We examined 48 patients with bipolar disorder for two years and we investigated how many of the patients had the diagnosis of substance abuse. The diagnosis was according to DSM IV-TR diagnostic criteria. We used BPRS scale, Mini scale, GAF and self - report scale SF-36 Health Survey. Our patients were between 18 and 65 years old. They had done blood and urine tests.

Results:

Men were more often substance abusers than women but it seems that it starts to change in the younger populations. 22% of our bipolar patients were in a lifetime period substance abusers, especially alcohol and cannabis and more seldom cocaine and heroin. The results of pharmacological treatment were better in patients who weren't substance abusers.

Discussion:

Our findings are limited in a small population group. There is need to conduct further studies in which the patient's sample will be larger and the design of the studies will include more agents.