Sociodemographic and clinical features of patients with bipolar I disorder in Turkey-HOME study

Sociodemographic and clinical features of patients with bipolar I disorder in Turkey-HOME study Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and compare the interregional differences in bipolar patients, who presented with manic episodes and were admitted to various psychiatry centers in 7 different regions of Turkey. Method: This observational study was conducted on 584 patients with manic episodes at 53 centers in 7 regions in Turkey during 2 years. Sociodemographic and clinical findings of patients with DSM-IV diagnosis of bipolar I disorder were collected to investigate the interregional differences. Results: The mean age, age at first hospital admission, and duration of bipolar disorder of 584 patients were 33.9 +/- 11.2, 26.1 +/- 8.6, and 8.6 +/- 8.2 years, respectively. In the psychiatric history the most frequently encountered episode was manic type and among manic episodes the most common type was mania with psychotic features. At baseline, the mean Clinical Global Impression and Young Mania Rating Scale scores were 4.87 +/- 0.9 and 33.2 +/- 9.3, respectively. While age at first hospital admission, the ratios of typical antipsychotic, lithium, anticonvulsant, and anticholinergic/antihistaminic uses at treatment history, duration and the dose of drugs used in the treatment of current episode demonstrated interregional differences, no significant difference was found among the patients in terms of sociodemographic features. Conclusion: The present study is the first and only large scale study up to date performed within this context in Turkey. We think that knowing regional variations will help to understand treatment needs of bipolar patients.