Obesity and quality of life in bipolar disorder

Abstract

Introduction

Overweight and obesity, despite their comorbidities and mortality, could deteriorate the quality of life of people with bipolar disorder.

Objectives

The objective of this study is to evaluate the quality of life among patients with bipolar disorder and investigate a possible interaction between obesity and deterioration of the quality of life.

Aims

This study aims to highlight the importance of preventing overweight and obesity in people with bipolar disorder to obtain an adequate quality of life subsequently an acceptable control of the illness.

Methods

Fifty euthymic bipolar patients (Hamilton Depression Scale score ≤ 8, and Young Mania Rating Scale score ≤ 6) received the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey in Arabic validated version in order to investigate the quality of life.

Results

We examined 50 euthymic bipolar patients (60% men, 40% women). The average age was 46, 5 years (23–70). Most patients (69%) were over weighted (BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m²) (body mass index), of whom 40% were obese (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m²). Seventy-two percent of the investigated patients had an affected quality of life (score < 66.7). The mental items were deteriorated in 80% of the cases. An affected quality of life was correlated with obesity. The BMI was significantly and negatively correlated with the scores of dimensions D4 (mental health) and D8 (perceived health) (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

The investigation of quality of life in people with mental disorder enables to reveal the social handicap caused by these illnesses consequently emphasizes health care in mental affections.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.