Systematic review of the prevalence of bipolar disorder and bipolar spectrum disorders in population-based studies

Abstract

This paper describes the findings of a systematic literature review aimed at providing an overview of the lifetime prevalence of bipolar disorder and bipolar spectrum disorders in population-based studies. Databases MEDLINE, ProQuest, Psychnet, and Web of Science were browsed for papers published in English between 1999 and May 2012 using the following search string: bipolar disorders OR bipolar spectrum disorders AND prevalence OR cross-sectional OR epidemiology AND population-based OR non-clinical OR community based. The search yielded a total of 434 papers, but only those published in peer-reviewed journals and with samples aged ≥ 18 years were included, resulting in a final sample of 18 papers. Results revealed rather heterogeneous findings concerning the prevalence of bipolar disorders and bipolar spectrum disorders. Lifetime prevalence of bipolar disorder ranged from 0.1 to 7.5%, whereas lifetime prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorders ranged from 2.4 to 15.1%. Differences in the rates of bipolar disorder and bipolar spectrum disorders may be related to the consideration of subthreshold criteria upon diagnosis. Differences in the prevalence of different subtypes of the disorder are discussed in light of diagnostic criteria and instruments applied.

Bipolar disorder prevalence: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature

“…Although systematic reviews on the prevalence of BD have been previously published, 14,16,17 we have not identified studies that have statistically treated their findings through meta-analysis. This is important, since the meta-analytic approach can yield more reliable prevalence estimates, in particular for conditions with low prevalence, such as BD.…”

Kinins and microglial responses in bipolar disorder: a neuroinflammation hypothesis

“…This condition does not only affect the mood of patients, but also their activity levels, energy and fear-danger notions, and leads to social and biological damages causing disability of performing quotidian activities. BD is among the 10 most disabling illnesses in the world, and it is estimated that 2-15% of the worldwide population is affected by one of its types or subtypes (Dell'Aglio et al, 2013). The bipolar spectrum recently described by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), indicates a large scale of mood patterns, thereby allowing the possibility of diagnosing pathology (Figure 1).…”

The prevalence of bipolar disorders in the general population: a growing trending topic?

“…2,3 It is worth pointing out that these might be underestimates because, compared to longitudinal studies, data from population-based cross-sectional studies may underestimate the real prevalence of BD. 4 More importantly, the authors found an increase in prevalence estimates over recent decades, in parallel with changing DSM diagnostic criteria. Lifetime prevalence of BD type I has virtually doubled with each edition from DSM-III to DSM-IV.…”