An international team of researchers from Brazil, Sweden, and Australia explored how bipolar disorder relates to a higher risk of early death. The study was published in the scientific journal Molecular Psychiatry [Study attribution].
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a major mental health condition marked by alternating periods of elevated mood and episodes of depression. Affected individuals often experience dramatic shifts in mood, cognition, energy, and daily activity, which can complicate relationships, schooling, and work. Roughly 1% of people globally live with BD, a statistic that underscores its broad impact on everyday life and social functioning.
To draw more reliable conclusions, the investigators pooled data from 57 research projects, covering more than 678,000 participants across 16 nations. The synthesis revealed that people with bipolar disorder have about twice the chance of dying prematurely compared with those without the condition.
Among the leading contributors to this excess mortality is an elevated risk of suicide, which is more than 11 times higher in BD patients than in the general population. Additional nonnatural causes, including accidents, drug-related deaths, and violence, also show markedly higher rates in mood swing disorders.
The study further outlined heightened odds of death from infectious diseases by over fourfold, respiratory illnesses by about threefold, and cardiovascular diseases by roughly 1.8 times among BD sufferers. Researchers speculated that greater tobacco use within certain BD populations could partially account for the respiratory risk connection, though other health and lifestyle factors likely contribute as well. [AI overview attribution]
In summary, the international analysis emphasizes BD as a significant factor in reduced longevity, shaped by a combination of suicide risk, accidental deaths, and higher vulnerability to infections and chronic diseases. The findings highlight the importance of comprehensive care, early intervention, and ongoing support to reduce mortality and improve quality of life for individuals living with bipolar disorder. Additional context from related research suggests that broader mental health comorbidities, including ADHD, can influence the trajectory toward more severe outcomes, underscoring the need for integrated treatment approaches. [Citation note]