Abstract
Background
This study investigated whether age at menarche in women with bipolar disorder (BD) is different from that in healthy women and if there is a relationship between age at menarche and clinical and temperamental characteristics of BD.
Methods
We consecutively evaluated 126 euthymic women diagnosed with BD according to DSM-IV. The healthy control group comprised 100 individuals of similar mean age and socioeconomic level. After the diagnostic interview, BD patients completed the Mood Disorders Diagnosis and Follow-Up Form and Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire.
Results
Age at menarche in BD patients was similar to that in controls. A strong inverse correlation was found between age at menarche and total duration of depressive episodes (r = -0.532). In BD patients, an inverse correlation has been found between age at menarche and depressive and cyclothymic temperament scores (r = -0.384 and r = -0.421). However, a strong correlation has been found between age at menarche and irritable temperament scores (r = 0.488).
Conclusions
Age at menarche is associated with the clinical course of BD. Moreover, age at menarche seems to be associated with traits related to mood.
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