Bipolar disorders diagnosed in the elderly: Clinical and therapeutic particularities.

Abstract

Introduction Data on the differences between young and elderly patients with bipolar disorder and between elderly patients with early and late age of onset are limited. Objectives to study the clinical differencies between bipolar patients with an onset in old age and other bipolar patients. Methods This is a retrospective study of 420 bipolar patients. In this study, patients with onset after age 60 (n=37) were compared to other patients with early-onset bipolar (EOB) (50 years; n=383). Results In the year before recruitment, older patients more frequently reported a rapid course of the illness, but fewer suicide attempts , more often a single psychotropic medication and had less severe manic and psychotic symptoms, atypical antipsychotics were administered less frequently. but no difference in depressive symptomatology was observed. Conclusions Elderly bipolar patients differ from younger bipolar patients in course and treatment. Medication use and the occurrence of rapid cycling in elderly bipolar patients deserve careful investigation. Disclosure of Interest None Declared