Illness trajectory from prodromal symptoms to incident bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

Background: The concept of prodrome is highly variable but, when applied retrospectively in cohorts who progress to meet diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ), it can contribute to clarify early origins and trajectory of the illness. In the context of race and ethnicity, studies with population-based and registry-based cohorts, such as the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP), can potentially identify, through retrospective assessment of the prodromes of BD and SZ, differences while addressing the heterogeneous nature of the illness. Objective: We aim to describe and compare the illness trajectories of individuals with BD or SZ prior to the incident case. Additionally, we assessed for differences in access to healthcare in racially diverse patients and within those with schizophrenia, we sought to analyze differences in prodrome duration based on place of birth (U.S. born vs. foreign born). Methods: Using a records-linkage system from Minnesota, we searched for subjects born after 1985 that had been diagnosed with BD or SZ. Cases were ascertained for diagnosis and identification of the first episode of mania or psychosis. Using the medical records we extracted data from their medical history prior to their first episode. Results: We identified 205 cases with the first episode of psychosis or mania (SZ = 131; BD = 74). The mean age of onset for BD was 21.34 years and 20.45 years for SZ. We did not find a difference between the mean duration of the trajectory of mental health problems to a first episode. Both disorders were preceded by high healthcare utilization and had similar rates of psychiatric diagnoses, substance use, and prescriptions of psychiatric medications. SZ was more common in Non-white patients and in immigrants and BD had a higher rate of depressive disorder and adjustment disorders. Conclusions: Results from this study provide critical information on social and clinical features that precede a first manic or psychotic episode that may help early illness detection, identification of individuals at high risk of BD and SZ and address health disparities

Racial differences in pathways to care preceding first episode mania or psychosis: a historical cohort prodromal study

BackgroundThere is evidence suggesting racial disparities in diagnosis and treatment in bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ). The purpose of this study is to compare psychiatric diagnoses and psychotropic use preceding a first episode of mania (FEM) or psychosis (FEP) in racially diverse patients.MethodsUsing a comprehensive medical records linkage system (Rochester Epidemiology Project, REP), we retrospectively identified individuals diagnosed with BD or SZ and a documented first episode of mania or psychosis. Illness trajectory before FEP/FEM were characterized as the time from first visit for a mental health complaint to incident case. Pathways to care and clinical events preceding FEP/FEM were compared based on subsequent incident case diagnosis (BD or SZ) and self-reported race (White vs. non-White).ResultsA total of 205 (FEM = 74; FEP = 131) incident cases were identified in the REP. Duration of psychiatric antecedents was significantly shorter in non-White patients, compared to White patients (2.2 ± 4.3 vs. 7.4 ± 6.6 years; p < 0.001) with an older age at time of first visit for a mental health complaint (15.7 ± 6.3 vs. 11.1 ± 6.0 years; p = 0.005). There were no significant differences by race in FEM pathway to care or age of first seeking mental health. Overall non-White patients had lower rates of psychotropic use.ConclusionThese data are unable to ascertain reasons for shorter duration of psychiatric antecedents and later age of seeking care, and more broadly first age of initial symptom presentation. If symptoms are confirmed to be earlier than first time seeking care in both groups, it would be important to identify barriers that racial minorities face to access timely psychiatric care and optimize early intervention strategies

Factors associated with suicide attempts in the antecedent illness trajectory of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

Abstract Background Factors associated with suicide attempts during the antecedent illness trajectory of bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ) are poorly understood. Methods Utilizing the Rochester Epidemiology Project, individuals born after 1985 in Olmsted County, MN, presented with first episode mania (FEM) or psychosis (FEP), subsequently diagnosed with BD or SZ were identified. Patient demographics, suicidal ideation with plan, self-harm, suicide attempts, psychiatric hospitalizations, substance use, and childhood adversities were quantified using the electronic health record. Analyses pooled BD and SZ groups with a transdiagnostic approach given the two diseases were not yet differentiated. Factors associated with suicide attempts were examined using bivariate methods and multivariable logistic regression modeling. Results A total of 205 individuals with FEM or FEP (BD = 74, SZ = 131) were included. Suicide attempts were identified in 39 (19%) patients. Those with suicide attempts during antecedent illness trajectory were more likely to be female, victims of domestic violence or bullying behavior, and have higher rates of psychiatric hospitalizations, suicidal ideation with plan and/or self-harm, as well as alcohol, drug, and nicotine use before FEM/FEP onset. Based on multivariable logistic regression, three factors remained independently associated with suicidal attempts: psychiatric hospitalization (OR = 5.84, 95% CI 2.09–16.33, p < 0.001), self-harm (OR = 3.46, 95% CI 1.29–9.30, p = 0.014), and nicotine use (OR = 3.02, 95% CI 1.17–7.76, p = 0.022). Conclusion Suicidal attempts were prevalent during the antecedents of BD and SZ and were associated with several risk factors before FEM/FEP. Their clinical recognition could contribute to improve early prediction and prevention of suicide during the antecedent illness trajectory of BD and SZ