Employment outcomes in people with bipolar disorder: a systematic review. (4th February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marwaha, S.; Durrani, A.; Singh, S.
• Is Part Of: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica. Volume 128:Number 3(2013:Sep.)
• Page Start: 179
• Page End: 193
• Publication Date: 2013-02-04
• Subjects: Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1111/acps.12087
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-690X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="acps12087-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="acps12087-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>Employment outcome in bipolar disorder is an under investigated, but important area. The aim of this study was to identify the long‐term employment outcomes of people with bipolar disorder.</p> </sec> <sec id="acps12087-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>A systematic review using the Medline, PsychInfo and Web of Science databases.</p> </sec> <sec id="acps12087-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Of 1962 abstracts retrieved, 151 full text papers were read. Data were extracted from 25 papers representing a sample of 4892 people with bipolar disorder and a mean length of follow‐up of 4.9 years. Seventeen studies had follow‐up periods of up to 4 years and eight follow‐up of 5–15 years. Most studies with samples of people with established bipolar disorder suggest approximately 40–60% of people are in employment. Studies using work functioning measures mirrored this result. Bipolar disorder appears to lead to workplace underperformance and 40–50% of people may suffer a slide in their occupational status over time. Employment levels in early bipolar disorder were higher than in more established illness.</p> </sec> <sec id="acps12087-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Bipolar disorder damages employment outcome in the longer term, but up to 60% of people may be in employment. Whilst further studies are necessary, the current evidence provides support for extending the early intervention paradigm to bipolar disorder.</p> </sec> </abstract>