Functioning in bipolar disorder with substance abuse/dependence in a community sample of young adults

AIM: To assess the functional impairment of young adults with bipolar disorder with substance abuse/dependence comorbidity. METHOD: Cross-sectional study within a community sample. Bipolar Disorder was assessed by qualified psychologists using The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview - PLUS (MINI-PLUS). Substance abuse and dependence was assessed using the "Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test" (ASSIST). Functional impairment was assessed using the Functional Assessment Short Test (FAST). RESULTS: The sample included 1259 young adults. The prevalence of Bipolar Disorder (BD) without Substance Abuse/Dependence (SAD) comorbidity was 5.9% (n=74), and the prevalence of bipolar disorder with substance abuse/dependence comorbidity was 1.4% (n=17). Both groups showed higher impairment in overall functioning, interpersonal relationship, and leisure time as compared to controls. In addition, BD+SAD showed higher impairment in the cognitive functioning domain of FAST. LIMITATION: A battery of neuropsychological tests was not performed. CONCLUSION: Functional impairment is associated with BD, independently of substance abuse or dependence. In addition, BD+SAD present a more severe impairment in the cognitive domain of FAST as compared to controls.