Epidemiology and Burden of Bipolar Disorders in Africa: a Systematic Review of Available Data From Africa.

Abstract

Bipolar disorder impacts negatively on the patient, the family as well as the society. It taxes the health care services due to a combination of the illness and associated medical as well as psychiatric comorbidities. Unfortunately, in Africa knowledge of the epidemiology and burden of bipolar disorders is based mainly on data from the United States and Europe. Objectives: To highlight the epidemiological, clinical, and economic burden of bipolar disorder in Africa. Methods: A systematic review of publications from Africa relating to the burden of bipolar disorder was conducted, including studies on epidemiology, patient-related issues and costs. Result: Data from community surveys conducted in Nigeria and Ethiopia indicated a lifetime prevalence of 0.1% to 0.6% for bipolar disorder. A study from Egypt showed a misdiagnosis rate of up to 36.2%. In one study, 8.1% of the males and 5.4% of the females reported a previous suicide attempt, while another study showed that up to 60% of patients with bipolar disorder had at least one comorbidity. There were no reports on mortality and cost of illness. Conclusion: Despite the heterogeneous methodologies, samples and dearth of adequate representative evidence from Africa, we have identified bipolar disorder as a major mental health issue. There still exists a dearth of evidence regarding the epidemiological, clinical, social, and economic burden of the disorder in Africa. .

The prevalence and associated characteristics of Bipolar Disorder diagnosis among admitted patients at three tertiary psychiatric hospitals in Zimbabwe: A cross sectional study

“…All the participants who were found to have BD in this study had BD type I. This is similar to other studies done in various regions in Africa [ 10 ]. BD type I is characterised by at least one lifetime episode of mania which is regarded as the most severe type of BD which requires hospitalisation.…”

“…BD has been associated with varying demographic factors, clinical characteristics, and comorbidities which may differ according to regions [ 12 ]. There have been contrasting results in its association with gender and socioeconomic status [ 2 , 10 , 13 , 14 ]. Three quarters of individuals with BD have a lifetime risk of a comorbid mental illness such as anxiety disorders and alcohol and substance use disorders.…”

Health-related quality of life among patients with bipolar disorder in rural southwestern Uganda: a hospital based cross sectional study

“…BD has an estimated 4.4–10.3 (7%) disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), making it the 7th leading cause of years of life lost (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD) [ 8 ]. In Africa, the lifetime prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorders based on surveys done in Egypt and Nigeria was found to be between 0.1 and 0.6% [ 9 ]. Bipolar disorder has a chronic course characterized by frequent and recurrent episodes and this chronicity causes significant impairment in functioning [ 10 – 13 ] and a considerable amount of disability even after remission of symptoms [ 14 – 16 ].…”

“…In Africa, the lifetime prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorders based on surveys done in Egypt and Nigeria was found to be between 0.1 and 0.6% [9]. Bipolar disorder has a chronic course characterized by frequent and recurrent episodes and this chronicity causes significant impairment in functioning [10][11][12][13] and a considerable amount of disability even after remission of symptoms [14][15][16].…”

Health-related quality of life among patients with bipolar disorder in rural southwestern Uganda: A hospital based cross sectional study.

“…BD has an estimated 4.4 -10.3 (7%) disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), making it the 7 th leading cause of years of life lost (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD) [8]. In Africa, the lifetime prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorders based on surveys done in Egypt and Nigeria was found to be between 0.1% and 0.6% [9]. Bipolar disorder has a chronic course characterized by frequent and recurrent episodes and this chronicity causes signi cant impairment in functioning [10][11][12][13] and a considerable amount of disability even after remission of symptoms [14][15][16].…”