Prevalence and correlates of bipolar II disorder in major depressive patients at a psychiatric outpatient clinic in Hong Kong
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Mak, Arthur D.P.
- Source
- Journal of Affective Disorders. Jan2009, Vol. 112 Issue 1-3, p201-205. 5p.
- Subject
- *BIPOLAR disorder
*DISEASE prevalence
*DEPRESSED persons
*HYPOMANIA
*DIAGNOSIS of mental depression
- Language
- ISSN
- 0165-0327
Abstract: Background: Western studies indicate a high prevalence of bipolar II disorder defined by a Research Diagnostic Criteria 2-day hypomania duration criterion (30 to 61%) amongst clinically depressive patients. The situation in Chinese patients with depression is unknown. Methods: 64 (52.5% response rate) patients first presenting to a Hong Kong public psychiatric outpatient clinic in 2005 with a diagnosis of major depression were recruited. The SCID and Family History Screen were administered. Results: DSM-IV bipolar II was found in 20.5% of depressive outpatients; 35.9% had bipolar II disorder defined by RDC 2-day duration criterion for hypomania. Family bipolarity, age of onset, and depressive recurrence distinguished bipolar II subjects from unipolar depressives irrespective of duration criteria chosen for hypomania. Limitations: Sample size was limited. Conclusions: Bipolar II disorder is common amongst Chinese depressive outpatients. The evaluation method and 2-day duration criterion for hypomania were supported by bipolar validators. Replication using larger samples is needed to arrive at a more representative prevalence estimate and to enable more refined nosological evaluation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]