Implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for people with bipolar disorders: A scoping review

Abstract

Introduction The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019)-related pandemic represents a global source of societal and health burden. Yet, the impact of the pandemic on people with severe mental illness, including bipolar disorder (BD), remains unclear, warranting scoping review on the matter. Methods The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were systematically searched from inception up to April 24, 2021, adopting broad inclusion criteria to assess a variety of clinical and public health themes related to people with a primary diagnosis of BD during the COVID-19 pandemics. The present work complying with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF) repository ( https://osf.io/7evpx/ ). Results Fourteen papers informed the present scoping review. Four major themes were identified: i) impact of COVID-19-related stressors on BD; ii) impact of COVID-19 on mental health service utilization among people with BD; iii) impact of BD on the risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection; iv) engagement in preventative behaviors among people with BD. Additional themes warranting further research were nonetheless detected. Limitations Further original studies are needed. Conclusion The present study confirmed the high-vulnerability hypothesis concerning people with BD versus the general population, reinforcing the need for further research related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional information is warranted to compare the impact of the pandemic period among BD people against pre-pandemic records, the general population, and other severe mental illnesses, namely people with schizophrenia or major depressive disorder, to inform the public health and the delivery of patient-tailored interventions.

Changes in Tobacco Use Patterns among Veterans in San Diego during the Recent Peak of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Previous research has shown the importance of active solicitation of information [68] and EMRs are now being used to help evaluate the effectiveness [69] and potential side effects [70,71] of COVID-19 vaccines. Similarly, EMR-based data has been utilized previously in studies looking at the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as a stressor on people with bipolar disorder [72], the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women [73], the effect of COVID-19 on pregnancy outcomes [74], the effects of clinical characteristics on outcomes of COVID-19 patients [75][76][77], the factors that influence pharmacotherapy for tobacco dependence in the VA system [78], the effect of mental health disorders on COVID-19 mortality [79], COVID-19 vaccine adverse effects [68], and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on body mass index in children [80]. Thus, the present study builds upon a growing body of research examining similar effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

The impact of COVID-19 on patients with OCD: A one-year follow-up study

“…However, since our sample was retrieved from a clinic specialized in OCD, other severe mental illnesses that were likely to be impacted by the pandemic [e.g. bipolar disorder ( Fornaro et al, 2021 )] were rare. Accordingly, no significant differences regarding changes in psychological distress were found between patients with OSI and OSW.…”

The post COVID-19 healthcare landscape and the use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics for individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder: the importance of an integrated collaborative-care approach

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an outsized toll on the physical and mental health of individuals with SCZ, BP-I, and other severe mental illnesses [ 9 , 13 , 22 ]. A multidisciplinary panel hosted a roundtable discussion to review the literature and discuss personal experiences on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental healthcare landscape, clinical practice, and long-term management of individuals with SCZ or BP-I.…”

“…People with SCZ, BP-I, or other severe mental illnesses have been disproportionally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic [ 10 – 13 ]. Illness characteristics (e.g., psychosis and cognitive dysfunction) and sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., living in group housing, being homeless) may impact pandemic-related social distancing measures in individuals with SCZ or BP-I, thus increasing infection risk [ 10 ].…”