Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Further evidence for age of onset being an indicator for severity in bipolar disorder

2002; Elsevier BV; Volume: 68; Issue: 2-3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0165-0327(01)00306-8

1573-2517

Thomas G. Schulze, Daniel J. Müller, Harald Krauß, Magdalena Groß, Heiner Fangerau‐Lefèvre, Franciska Ill≐s, Stephanie Ohlraun, Sven Cichon, Tilo Held, Peter Propping, Markus M. Nöthen, Wolfgang Maier, Marcella Rietschel,

Schizophrenia research and treatment

Prevalence rates of cannabis use disorders (CUDs) among patients with bipolar disorder are markedly high. Available literature on CUDs in bipolar disorder is limited and often inadequate to answer questions regarding the impact of the comorbidity. Notwithstanding, available evidence points to an association between cannabis use and an earlier age at onset of bipolar disorder, increased severity and frequency of mood episodes, particularly mania, and increased number of comorbid Axis I and II disorders, as well as severe deficits in psychosocial functioning. Less conclusive associations have been observed with suicide attempts and psychosis. Taken together, findings indicate that cannabis use may be associated with worse prognostic outcomes in patients with both disorders. Animal studies and anecdotal reports have suggested potential therapeutic effects, but to date, no definitive evidence suggests that cannabinoids are therapeutically beneficial and, therefore, further research is needed.