Authors: Ghaemi SN, et al.
Title: Is bipolar disorder still underdiagnosed? Are antidepressants overutilized?
Reference: J Affective Disorders 1999;52:135-44.
Purpose: To assess switch rates in an inpatient community sample.
Study design: Retrospective chart review.
Follow up: Variable.
Patients: 44 inpatients with bipolar I and schizoaffective disorder.
Treatment: Various (naturalistic).
Results: 40% of patients were originally misdiagnosed with unipolar depression at the time of hospitalization, with a large percentage of patients receiving antidepressants without concomitant therapy with a mood-stabilizer.