Steffi Pfeiffer

The characteristics of sleep in patients with manifest bipolar disorder, subjects at high risk of developing the disease and healthy controls

Sleep is highly altered during affective episodes in patients with bipolar disorder. There is accumulating evidence that sleep is also altered in euthymic states. A deficit in sleep regulation may be a vulnerability factor with aetiological relevance in the development of the disease. This study aims to explore the objective, subjective and lifetime sleep characteristics of patients with manifest bipolar disorder and persons with an elevated risk of developing the disease. Twenty-two patients with bipolar I and II disorder, nine persons with an elevated risk of developing the disorder and 28 healthy controls were evaluated with a structured interview to characterize subjective and lifetime sleeping habits. In addition, participants wore an actimeter for six nights. Patients with bipolar disorder had longer sleep latency and duration compared with healthy controls as determined by actigraphy. The subjective and lifetime sleep characteristics of bipolar patients differed significantly from healthy controls. The results of participants with an elevated risk of developing the disorder had subjective and lifetime characteristics that were largely analogous to those of patients with manifest bipolar disorder. In particular, both groups described recurring insomnia and hypersomnia, sensitivity to shifts in circadian rhythm, difficulties awakening and prolonged sleep latency. This study provides further evidence that sleep and circadian timing are profoundly altered in patients with bipolar disorder. It may also tentatively suggest that sleep may be altered prior to the first manic episode in subjects at high risk.

Characteristics, symptomatology and naturalistic treatment in individuals at-risk for bipolar disorders: Baseline results in the first 180 help-seeking individuals assessed at the dresden high-risk project

BACKGROUND Considering results from the early recognition and intervention in psychosis, identification and treatment of individuals with at-risk states for the development of bipolar disorders (BD) could improve the course and severity of illness and prevent long-term consequences. Different approaches to define risk factors and groups have recently been published, data on treatment options are still missing. METHODS Help-seeking persons at the early recognition center in Dresden, Germany, were assessed with a standardized diagnostic procedure including following risk factors for BD: familial risk, increasing mood swings, subsyndromal (hypo)manic symptoms, specific sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances, anxiety/fearfulness, affective disorder, decreased psychosocial functioning, increasing periodic substance use, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Based on symptomatology and current and/or life-time psychiatric diagnosis, subjects with an at-risk state were offered individual treatment options. RESULTS Out of 180 referred and screened persons, 29 (16%) met criteria for at-risk state for BD. Altogether, 27 (93%) at-risk individuals fulfilled criteria for a current and/or life-time mental illness other than BD; 14 (48%) had received pharmacological and/or psychotherapeutic treatment in the past. Treatments recommended included psychoeducation (100%), psychotherapy alone (62%), pharmacotherapy alone (17%), and psychotherapy+pharmacotherapy (14%). CONCLUSIONS To identify at-risk states for BD, a multifactorial approach including all known risk markers should be used. As most at-risk patients meet criteria for other mental disorders, the short- and long-term impact of different treatment strategies on symptomatic, functional and diagnostic outcomes requires detailed investigation. LIMITATIONS Small sample size of at-risk individuals, lack of sufficient prospective data and control groups.

Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetic abnormalities in patients with bipolar disorders.

BACKGROUND Abnormalities in the glucose metabolism cause nervous and organic damage and are a cardiovascular risk factor. They could be a main cause for the increased morbidity and mortality rates found in patients with bipolar disorders. The exact prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetic abnormalities, however, is not clear. METHODS 85 euthymic outpatients with bipolar disorders from two university hospitals in Germany underwent an oral glucose tolerance test, laboratory screening and clinical measurements. Socio-demographic data, medication, severity of illness, global functioning and life quality were assessed. RESULTS Diabetes mellitus was found in 7% of the patients, pre-diabetic abnormalities in 27%. The group of patients with abnormalities in the glucose metabolism had significantly lower quality of life and global functioning. Higher BMI, leptin, triglycerides and CRP levels significantly increased the likelihood for pre-diabetes/diabetes. LIMITATIONS The low sample size did only allow limited assessment of impact of medication on the results. No healthy controls were assessed. CONCLUSIONS One-third of the patients with bipolar disorders showed abnormalities in the glucose metabolism and this was associated with impaired global functioning and lower quality of life. Early detection and intervention strategies fitting the needs of patient with bipolar disorder are needed to improve both physical and mental health.

Früherkennungszentren für psychische Erkrankungen – ein Komplementärangebot der psychiatrischen Regelversorgung in Deutschland

OBJECTIVE Mental disorders are identified and treated too late, because of stigma, deficient information in the population and lack of specific supply in the public health systems. Another problem is the deficient cooperation between psychiatry and child psychiatry. Therefore early recognition centers were founded, in Germany primarily with focus on psychosis and in research settings. METHODS The early recognition center in Dresden offers a low-threshold and anonym service for young people independent of diagnosis. The multiprofessional team including psychologists, psychiatrists and child psychiatrists applies defined standards. In addition to standard history taking and formally assessing psychopathology, early recognition instruments for psychosis and bipolar disorders are used as appropriate. RESULTS In 167 out of 192 individuals a structured diagnostic procedure was recommended, 149 persons (89 %) completed the procedure. Thereof 78 (52 %) persons fulfilled criteria for one, 21 (14 %) persons for two and 10 (7 %) persons for three mental disorders. 49 (33 %) persons fulfilled criteria for (Ultra)high risk for psychosis and/or bipolar disorders. CONCLUSIONS In the majority of cases diagnostic criteria for at least one mental illness was already fulfilled. All diagnosis and stages from prodromal till chronic were represented. The high percentage of subjects fulfilling criteria for (ultra)high risk-constellations offers the chance for early interventions. The implementation of early detection centers for psychiatric disorders seems reasonable and necessary.

Comparison of Subjective and Objective Sleep Estimations in Patients with Bipolar Disorder and Healthy Control Subjects

Background. Several studies have described but not formally tested discrepancies between subjective and objective measures of sleep. Study Objectives. To test the hypothesis that patients with bipolar disorder display a systematic bias to underestimate sleep duration and overestimate sleep latency. Methods. Actimetry was used to assess sleep latency and duration in 49 euthymic participants (bipolar = 21; healthy controls = 28) for 5–7 days. Participants simultaneously recorded estimated sleep duration and sleep latency on a daily basis via an online sleep diary. Group differences in the discrepancy between subjective and objective parameters were calculated using t-tests and corrected for multiple comparisons. Results. Patients with bipolar disorder significantly underestimated their sleep duration but did not overestimate their sleep latency compared to healthy controls. Conclusions. Studies utilizing diaries or questionnaires alone in patients with bipolar disorders may systematically underestimate sleep duration compared to healthy controls. The additional use of objective assessment methods such as actimetry is advisable.

Angebote zur Früherkennung von Psychosen und bipolaren Störungen in Deutschland

BACKGROUND In order to successfully implement early recognition and intervention services in psychiatry, it is crucial to improve the attention to and recognition of severe mental disorders and to establish low threshold services that are available at short notice for diagnostic and treatment procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS For this inventory survey study, questionnaires regarding the presence and type of early recognition services for psychoses and bipolar disorders were sent separately to German psychiatric hospitals by mail in September and October 2012. Additionally, an internet search and telephone inquiries as well as an alignment of responses from the two surveys and with network lists from published and ongoing early recognition studies were performed. RESULTS Response rates in the psychosis and bipolar disorder surveys were 21 % (51/246) and 36 % (91/255), respectively. Three quarters of participating institutions reported at least an interest in creating an early recognition service for psychoses and one half for bipolar disorders. Overall, 26 institutions were identified that already offer early recognition of psychoses and 18 of bipolar disorders. Of these 16 are low threshold early recognition centres with direct access at short notice for first-episode patients and person from at-risk groups and separate specific public relations work. Of these early recognition centres five have a separate and easy to find homepage available; in an additional 15 institutions the specific websites are part of the institutions homepage. CONCLUSION Despite widespread interest and the increasingly recognized importance of early recognition and intervention services in psychiatry, there is currently no nationwide coverage with early recognition services for severe mental disorders in Germany. Public relations and information activities are not (yet) sufficiently provided to reach affected persons and their environment. Common standards are (still) missing and interdisciplinary models are sparse. To correct these shortcomings, amongst other factors, acquisition of sufficient funding for such services is required.

Creativity in persons at-risk for bipolar disorder-A pilot study

The association between bipolar disorder and creativity may be related to symptoms of the disorder itself or personality traits present before the onset. To further explore the relationship between creativity and clinical risk for bipolar disorder, creativity among individuals with a history of depressive disorder and varying risk for future (hypo‐)manic episodes was assessed and compared.

Impulsivity predicts illness severity in long-term course of bipolar disorder: A prospective approach:

Background: Bipolar disorder is a common, severe and chronic mental illness. Despite this, predictors of illness severity remain poorly understood. Impulsivity is reported to be associated with bipolar disorder and aggravating comorbidities. This study therefore sought to examine the predictive value of impulsivity for determining illness severity in euthymic bipolar disorder patients. Methods: Baseline trait impulsivity of 120 bipolar euthymic patients (81 bipolar disorder I [68%], 80 female [67%]) and 51 healthy controls was assessed using Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11. The impact of impulsivity on illness severity (measured with morbidity index) was prospectively tested in 97 patients with sufficient follow-up data (average observation time: 54.4 weeks), using linear regression analysis. Results: Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11 total (β = 0.01; p < 0.01) and in particular Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11 attentional subscale scores (β = 0.04; p < 0.001) predicted illness severity in bipolar disorder, while controlling for other clinical variables. Only age at onset persisted as an additional, but less influential predictor. Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11 total scores and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11 attentional subscale scores were significantly higher in euthymic patients compared to controls. This was not observed for the motor or non-planning subscale scores. Limitations: The average year-long observation time might not be long enough to account for the chronic course of bipolar disorder. Conclusion: Trait impulsivity and particularly attentional impulsivity in euthymic bipolar patients can be strong predictors of illness severity in bipolar disorder. Future studies should explore impulsivity as a risk assessment for morbidity and as a therapeutic target in bipolar disorder patients.

[Services for the early recognition of psychoses and bipolar disorders in Germany: inventory survey study].

BACKGROUND In order to successfully implement early recognition and intervention services in psychiatry, it is crucial to improve the attention to and recognition of severe mental disorders and to establish low threshold services that are available at short notice for diagnostic and treatment procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS For this inventory survey study, questionnaires regarding the presence and type of early recognition services for psychoses and bipolar disorders were sent separately to German psychiatric hospitals by mail in September and October 2012. Additionally, an internet search and telephone inquiries as well as an alignment of responses from the two surveys and with network lists from published and ongoing early recognition studies were performed. RESULTS Response rates in the psychosis and bipolar disorder surveys were 21 % (51/246) and 36 % (91/255), respectively. Three quarters of participating institutions reported at least an interest in creating an early recognition service for psychoses and one half for bipolar disorders. Overall, 26 institutions were identified that already offer early recognition of psychoses and 18 of bipolar disorders. Of these 16 are low threshold early recognition centres with direct access at short notice for first-episode patients and person from at-risk groups and separate specific public relations work. Of these early recognition centres five have a separate and easy to find homepage available; in an additional 15 institutions the specific websites are part of the institutions homepage. CONCLUSION Despite widespread interest and the increasingly recognized importance of early recognition and intervention services in psychiatry, there is currently no nationwide coverage with early recognition services for severe mental disorders in Germany. Public relations and information activities are not (yet) sufficiently provided to reach affected persons and their environment. Common standards are (still) missing and interdisciplinary models are sparse. To correct these shortcomings, amongst other factors, acquisition of sufficient funding for such services is required.

Angebote zur Früherkennung von Psychosen und bipolaren Störungen in Deutschland@@@Services on early recognition of psychoses and bipolar disorders in Germany: Bestandsaufnahme@@@Inventory survey study

BACKGROUND In order to successfully implement early recognition and intervention services in psychiatry, it is crucial to improve the attention to and recognition of severe mental disorders and to establish low threshold services that are available at short notice for diagnostic and treatment procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS For this inventory survey study, questionnaires regarding the presence and type of early recognition services for psychoses and bipolar disorders were sent separately to German psychiatric hospitals by mail in September and October 2012. Additionally, an internet search and telephone inquiries as well as an alignment of responses from the two surveys and with network lists from published and ongoing early recognition studies were performed. RESULTS Response rates in the psychosis and bipolar disorder surveys were 21 % (51/246) and 36 % (91/255), respectively. Three quarters of participating institutions reported at least an interest in creating an early recognition service for psychoses and one half for bipolar disorders. Overall, 26 institutions were identified that already offer early recognition of psychoses and 18 of bipolar disorders. Of these 16 are low threshold early recognition centres with direct access at short notice for first-episode patients and person from at-risk groups and separate specific public relations work. Of these early recognition centres five have a separate and easy to find homepage available; in an additional 15 institutions the specific websites are part of the institutions homepage. CONCLUSION Despite widespread interest and the increasingly recognized importance of early recognition and intervention services in psychiatry, there is currently no nationwide coverage with early recognition services for severe mental disorders in Germany. Public relations and information activities are not (yet) sufficiently provided to reach affected persons and their environment. Common standards are (still) missing and interdisciplinary models are sparse. To correct these shortcomings, amongst other factors, acquisition of sufficient funding for such services is required.