Gender Differences in Incidence and Age at Onset of Mania and Bipolar Disorder Over a 35-Year Period in Camberwell, England

• DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.162.2.257
• Publication Date: 2005-01-27T23:18:39Z
• Authors: Noel Kennedy; Jane Boydell; Sri Kalidindi; Paul Fearon; Peter B. Jones; Jim van Os; Robin M. Murray
• Keywords: Hypomania; Bipolar I disorder

OBJECTIVE: Despite clear gender differences in the symptoms and course of bipolar affective disorder, studies investigating age at onset by have yielded inconsistent results. The authors investigated incidence first-episode mania disorder an epidemiological catchment area southeast London over a 35-year period. METHOD: All adult cases psychosis, mania, or hypomania presenting to services Camberwell, (1965–1999), were identified. Computerized diagnoses for these generated using Operational Checklist Psychotic Disorders program. Incidence rates rate ratios DSM-IV I first manic episode, (10-year age-at-onset categories) calculated. Differences examined univariate multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Men had significantly earlier with childhood antisocial behavior also being associated, after analysis. Women higher throughout life, except early life (ages 16–25 years), although individual bands did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: appear than women. association male early-onset raised possibility existence subgroup.