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For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

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Saturday, July 25, 2009

Bipolar disorder preceded by substance abuse: A different phenotype with not so poor outcome?
World Journal of Biological Psychiatry, Volume 10, Issue 3 August 2009 , pages 209 - 216

The co-occurrence of bipolar disorder and substance use is frequent. The question whether substance use precedes, induces or follows bipolar disorder is still unresolved. Substance use has been typically represented as a negative prognostic factor for the clinical course of bipolar illness and it has been associated with decreased compliance and treatment resistance.

To extend these previous findings we examined the clinical course and outcome of patients with bipolar disorder I or II whose bipolar onset was preceded by substance/alcohol use.

Bipolar disorder preceded by substance misuse may represent a clinically milder subtype of bipolar illness. This subtype would be less “primary” and might be more early targeted by primary prevention with programmes focused on substance misuse.


Request Reprint E-Mail: isabella.pacchiarotti@uniroma1.it


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