Correlates of recovery of social functioning in types I and II bipolar disorder patients

Since bipolar disorder (BPD) patients are often functionally impaired, and factors associated with recovery from disability are largely unknown, we investigated demographic, clinical, and neurocognitive correlates of current social functional recovery in 65 stable participants diagnosed with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) type I (n = 42) or II (n = 23) BPD. Regaining highest previous levels of social functioning was rated with the Interpersonal Relationships Questionnaire. We also considered neuropsychological test findings as well as demographic and clinical information including mania and depression symptom-ratings. We examined factors associated with social recovery status using univariate analyses and then multiple logistic regression modeling. Of all subjects, 30 (46%) achieved current social functional recovery and 35 (54%) did not. Younger age (P = 0.005) and lesser current depressive symptoms (P = 0.02) were associated with social functional recovery, even after controlling for time since the last major mood episode, diagnostic type (II vs. I), co-morbid psychiatric illness, and executive functioning status. The findings are consistent with deleterious effects of even residual depressive symptoms in BPD patients.