Objective: The aim of this study is to find out how the presence of comorbid diagnosis makes differences in mood disorders.
Methods: 60 patients who have the diagnosis of bipolar disorder are selected from outpatient and inpatient clinics. Their diagnosis confirmed with DSM-IV. Comorbid disease is Axis 1 disorder.
Results: The incidence of comorbid diagnoses in patients with mood disorders is 40% (s=24). Sex, marital status and education status are similar in groups with or without comorbidity. Presence of stress factor before the episode is also similar in incidence for both groups. Even Axis 3,4 and 5 diagnosis are similar in both groups, Axis 2 diagnosis is higher in group with comorbidity (p=0.012). Family history and psychotic symptoms are higher in patients without comorbidity (p=0.043, p=0.025). age at the beginning of the illness , episode frequency and episode severity are similar in both groups. There are noı difference in HAM-D, YMRS and CGI scores between two groups. However, SF-36 scores are noticeably lower in patients with comorbid disease (p=0.014). Also alcohol use and selfmutilance are higher in patients with comorbid diagnosis. Incidence of endocrine pathalogies is higher in patients with comorbidity.
Conclusion: Presence of comorbid disease is not rare in Bipolar Disorders. If personality disorders are also added , this rate will be higher. Presence of comorbid diagnosis lowers the quality of life and increases the complications instead of changing the characteristics of bipolar disorders.