Pharmacotherapy in Comorbid Bipolar Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder From the STEP-BD Cohort

IF 5 2区医学 Q1 CLINICAL NEUROLOGY

Bipolar Disorders Pub Date : 2025-02-14 DOI:10.1111/bdi.70002

Samantha E. Russell, Anna L. Wrobel, David R. Skvarc, Mojtaba Lotfaliany, Olivia M. Dean, Melanie M. Ashton, Pedro V. S. Magalhães, Andrew Nierenberg, Michael Berk, Alyna Turner

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Abstract

Introduction

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is more prevalent in those with bipolar disorder (BD) than in the general population, with rates of PTSD as high as 55% in some BD cohorts. Despite this, little research explores the effects of pharmacotherapy treatments in those with comorbid BD and PTSD. This study aims to explore patterns of pharmacotherapy use at baseline and their impact on symptoms in individuals with BD alone and comorbid BD and PTSD.

Methods

The Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for BD (STEP-BD) cohort was utilised to examine and compare BD symptoms and pharmacotherapy treatments between those with BD alone (n = 3393) and those with comorbid BD and PTSD (n = 304). We conducted regression models to compare those with and without comorbid PTSD. Models included measures of depression, mania, functioning and quality of life over 24 months of the STEP-BD study. We included baseline pharmacotherapies (lithium, valproate, antidepressants, antipsychotics and benzodiazepines) as predictor outcome variables in all models.

Results

At baseline, reported use of lithium was lower in the comorbid BD and PTSD group, while the use of antidepressants, antipsychotics and benzodiazepines was significantly higher in the comorbid BD and PTSD than in the BD alone group. Benzodiazepine use was associated with a small improvement in depression symptom scores and poorer quality of life in those with comorbid BD and PTSD. Lastly, those with comorbid PTSD experienced higher levels of mania and depression symptoms and lower functioning and quality of life compared to BD alone, irrespective of pharmacotherapy treatment.

Conclusion

Clinical trial participants with BD and PTSD reported worse symptoms and outcomes across 24 months of the STEP-BD study compared to those without comorbid PTSD, regardless of baseline medication use. These results highlight the importance of considering comorbidity in the treatment of mental health conditions, specifically BD, and the need for further exploration of effective treatment options.

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来源期刊

Bipolar Disorders 医学-精神病学

CiteScore

8.20

自引率

7.40%

发文量

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Bipolar Disorders is an international journal that publishes all research of relevance for the basic mechanisms, clinical aspects, or treatment of bipolar disorders and related illnesses. It intends to provide a single international outlet for new research in this area and covers research in the following areas: biochemistry physiology neuropsychopharmacology neuroanatomy neuropathology genetics brain imaging epidemiology phenomenology clinical aspects and therapeutics of bipolar disorders Bipolar Disorders also contains papers that form the development of new therapeutic strategies for these disorders as well as papers on the topics of schizoaffective disorders, and depressive disorders as these can be cyclic disorders with areas of overlap with bipolar disorders. The journal will consider for publication submissions within the domain of: Perspectives, Research Articles, Correspondence, Clinical Corner, and Reflections. Within these there are a number of types of articles: invited editorials, debates, review articles, original articles, commentaries, letters to the editors, clinical conundrums, clinical curiosities, clinical care, and musings.