Introduction

Abstract

Background: Bipolar disorder (BP) is one of the main causes of disability and morbidity globally. It has been linked to medical and mental comorbidity, premature death, functional impairment, and poor quality of life. Objective: Recognizing predictors of psychiatric readmission among bipolar patients who were admitted to hospital within six months since last admission. Subjects and Procedures: One hundred bipolar patients who had been admitted to Abbassyia Mental Hospital were included in this cross-sectional study. They were asked to fill out a questionnaire designed specifically for study, which cover number of presumed risk factors. Results: About one-third of patients with BP relapse into depression or mania even with treatment. Our study revealed risk factors significantly differed between the two groups, such that patients who were rehospitalized within less than 3 months were significantly more likely to be unemployed, living in highly crowded places, socially isolated, experiencing stressful life events, having neither fixed income nor supportive families. Thus, insufficient psychoeducation, smoking, relapse during postpartum period and readmission with manic episode were highly significant at this group. Regarding sociodemographic status, child abuse, using long-acting medications or ECT, compliance, number of admissions, last admission duration, presence of insurance, all showed statistically nonsignificant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: It is estimated that around one-third of people with BP illness may have a recurrence of depressive or manic symptoms despite therapy. Across all time periods, people with bipolar disorder were more likely to be readmitted when they had certain risk indicators.