Identifying neurocognitive heterogeneity in Older Adults with Bipolar Disorder: a cluster analysis

Background: Cognitive profiles of BD patients show a demonstrated heterogeneity among young and middle-aged patients, but this issue has not yet deeply explored in Older Adults with bipolar disorder (OABD). The aim of the present study was to analyze cognitive variability in a sample of OABD. Method...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Montejo Egido, Laura, Jiménez Martínez, Ester, Solé Cabezuelo, Brisa, Murru, Andrea, Arbelo, Néstor, Benabarre, Antonio, Valentí Ribas, Marc, Clougher, Derek, Rodríguez, M.A., Borràs, Roger, Martínez-Arán, Anabel, 1971-, Vieta i Pascual, Eduard, 1963-, Bonnín Roig, Caterina del Mar, Torrent Font, Carla
Format: article
Status:Versión aceptada para publicación
Publication Date:2022
Country:España
Institution:Universidad de Oviedo (UNIOVI)
Repository:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/225523
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/225523
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Cognició
Trastorn bipolar
Neuropsicologia
Anàlisi de conglomerats
Cognition
Manic-depressive illness
Neuropsychology
Cluster analysis
Description
Summary:Background: Cognitive profiles of BD patients show a demonstrated heterogeneity among young and middle-aged patients, but this issue has not yet deeply explored in Older Adults with bipolar disorder (OABD). The aim of the present study was to analyze cognitive variability in a sample of OABD. Methods: A total of 138 OABD patients and 73 healthy controls were included in this study. A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment was administered. We performed a k-means cluster analysis method based on the neurocognitive performance to detect heterogeneous subgroups. Demographic, clinical, cognitive and functional variables were compared. Finally, univariate logistic regressions were conducted to detect variables associated with the severity of the cognitive impairment. Results: We identified three distinct clusters based on the severity of cognitive impairment: (1) a preserved group (n = 58; 42%) with similar cognitive performance to HC, (2) a group showing mild cognitive deficits in all cognitive domains (n = 64; 46%) and, finally, (3) a group exhibiting severe cognitive impairment (n = 16; 12%). Older age, late onset, higher number of psychiatric admissions and lower psychosocial functioning were associated with the greatest cognitive impairment. Lower age, more years of education and higher estimated IQ were associated with a preserve cognitive functioning. Limitations: The small sample size of the severely impaired group. Conclusions: Cognitive heterogeneity remains at late-life bipolar disorder. Demographic and specific illness factors are related to cognitive dysfunction. Detecting distinct cognitive subgroups may have significant clinical implications for tailoring specific intervention strategies adapted to the level of the impairment and also to prevent cognitive decline.