ABSTRACT
B21 Physical Comorbidity in Bipolar Disorder Paul Mackin and Sylvia Ruttledge School of Neurology, Neurobiology, and Psychiatry, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K.
INTRODUCTION
A number of studies have reported that bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with a mortality rate approximately twice that of the general population (1-5). Suicide is the leading single cause of excess mortality, but natural deaths contribute significantly to reduced life expectancy. The precise magnitude of the problem of physical comorbidity in BD is unclear, and an international project is currently underway that aims to review the worldwide literature as it pertains to physical illness in schizophrenia and mood disorders (6). It is hoped that this project will bring together the various sources of evidence with a view to generating specific suggestions for the improvement of care for people with mental illnesses. Research activity in the field of physical comorbidity in BD has increased considerably over recent years, although output has lagged behind similar research in schizophrenia. It is hoped that this welcome trend will continue, and ultimately lead to evidencebased guidelines for detecting and managing physical illnesses in this population.
