TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2022//
TI  - Clinical and psychopathological correlates of duration of untreated illness (DUI) in affective spectrum disorders
JO  - European Neuropsychopharmacology
A1  - Menculini, Giulia
A1  - Verdolini, Norma
A1  - Gobbicchi, Chiara
A1  - Del Bello, Valentina
A1  - Serra, Raffaella
A1  - Brustenghi, Filippo
A1  - Armanni, Margherita
A1  - Spollon, Giulio
A1  - Cirimbilli, Federica
A1  - Brufani, Francesca
A1  - Pierotti, Valentina
A1  - Di Buò, Agata
A1  - De Giorgi, Filippo
A1  - Sciarma, Tiziana
A1  - Moretti, Patrizia
A1  - Vieta, Eduard
A1  - Tortorella, Alfonso
SP  - 60
EP  - 70
VL  - 61
IS  - 
N2  - Affective disorders represent psychopathological entities lying on a continuum, characterized by high prevalence and functional impairment. A delay in treatment initiation might increase the burden associated with affective spectrum disorders. The present study was aimed at analyzing the correlates of a long duration of untreated illness (DUI) in these conditions. We recruited subjects diagnosed with affective disorders, both in- and outpatients, and collected information concerning socio-demographic, clinical, and psychopathological characteristics. Long DUI was defined according to previous research criteria as >2 years for Bipolar Disorders or >1 year for Depressive Disorders. Bivariate analyses were performed to compare subjects with a long and short DUI (p<0.05). A logistic regression was operated to evaluate the correlates of long DUI. In the present sample (n=135), 34.1% (n=46) subjects showed a long DUI. This subgroup presented with more physical comorbidities (p=0.003), higher body mass index (BMI) (p<0.001), more frequent anxiety onset (p=0.018), younger onset age (p=0.042), and more severe depressive symptoms (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale item 1-depressed mood (p=0.032) and item 2-guilt feelings (p=0.018)). At the logistic regression, higher severity of depressed mood (OR 1.568), higher BMI (OR 1.264), and younger age at onset (OR 0.935) were associated with long DUI. The present study confirmed a possible role of DUI as a construct underpinning higher clinical severity in affective spectrum disorders, possibly linked to worse illness course and unfavorable outcomes. Intervention strategies targeting physical comorbidities and depressive symptoms severity may decrease disease burden in subjects with a long DUI.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0924-977X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.06.004
ID  - ref1
ER  -