Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Kennedy, N. Articles by Murray, R. M. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Kennedy, N. Articles by Murray, R. M. Gender Bipolar Disorder Epidemiology

Gender Differences in Incidence and Age at Onset of Mania and Bipolar Disorder Over a 35-Year Period in Camberwell, England

OBJECTIVE: Despite clear gender differences in the symptoms and course of bipolar affective disorder, studies investigating age at onset by gender have yielded inconsistent results. The authors investigated gender differences in age at onset and incidence of first-episode mania and bipolar disorder in an epidemiological catchment area in southeast London over a 35-year period. METHOD: All adult cases of first-episode psychosis, mania, or hypomania presenting to services in Camberwell, southeast London (1965–1999), were identified. Computerized diagnoses for these cases were generated by using the Operational Checklist for Psychotic Disorders program. Incidence rates and rate ratios of DSM-IV bipolar I disorder, first manic episode, by gender and age (10-year age-at-onset categories) were calculated. Differences in age at onset of first-episode mania and bipolar disorder by gender were examined by using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Men had a significantly earlier onset of first-episode mania and bipolar disorder, with childhood antisocial behavior also being significantly associated, after multivariate analysis. Women had higher incidence rates of bipolar I disorder throughout adult life, except for early life (ages 16–25 years), although gender differences in individual age bands did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Men appear to have an earlier onset of mania and bipolar disorder than women. The association of male gender and childhood antisocial behavior with early-onset bipolar disorder raised the possibility of the existence of an early-onset subgroup.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. D. Prince, A. Akincigil, and E. Bromet Incarceration Rates of Persons With First-Admission Psychosis Psychiatr Serv, September 1, 2007; 58(9): 1173 - 1180. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Tyrer What does history teach us about factors associated with relapse in bipolar affective disorder?: Presentation at Hilton Hotel, Gateshead, 2 September 2005 at Symposium entitled Managing the aftermath of mania. J Psychopharmacol, March 1, 2006; 20(2 Suppl): 4 - 11. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Other articles noted Evid. Based Ment. Health, November 1, 2005; 8(4): 94 - 94. [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2005 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us