Functional impairment is a key driver of disability in patients with bipolar disorder, and in some people, can persist despite remission of symptoms.4 Evidence from a systematic literature review showed that the research interest in functional outcomes of patients with bipolar disorder is increasing.4
Whilst there is some overlap between symptoms, functional impairment, and subjective quality of life (QoL), these three domains are often viewed as separate concepts when considering the impact of bipolar disorder, and its treatment.2 Measures of functioning often assess the impact of a disorder on the patient’s occupational or social roles, whereas QoL measures tend to prioritise the patient’s subjective evaluation of their own circumstances.2 Despite interest in QoL outcomes of patients with bipolar disorder, a lack of consensus regarding its definition, and the availability of a bipolar disorder-specific scale, have limited research in this area.2
References:
1. Mączka G, Siwek M, Skalski M, et al. Patients’ and doctors’ attitudes towards bipolar disorder: do we share our beliefs? Arch Psych Psych 2010; 12 (2): 43–50.
2. Morton E, Murray G, Yatham LN, et al. The Quality of Life in Bipolar Disorder (QoL.BD) questionnaire a decade on – a systematic review of the measurement of condition-specific aspects of quality of life in bipolar-disorder. J Affect Disord 2021; 278: 33–45.
3. Morton E, Michalak EE, Murray G. What does quality of life refer to in bipolar disorders research? A systematic review of the construct’s definition, usage and measurement. J Affect Disord 2017; 212: 128–137.
4. Chen M, Fitzgerald HM, Madera JJ, Tohen M. Functional outcome assessment in bipolar disorder: a systematic literature review. Bipolar Disord 2019; 21 (3): 194–214.
5. Bonnín CDM, Reinares M, Martínez-Arán A, et al. Improving functioning, quality of life, and well-being in patients with bipolar disorder. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 22 (8): 467–477.