Introduction:

Previous studies suggest that the severity of alterations in cognitive functions in people with a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder (BP-I) are directly related to the deterioration in overall functioning and life quality. Altered cognitive function is associated with a worse prognosis of BP-I, however little is known about the relationship between cognitive functions and the clinical features of BP-I.

Objective:

To establish possible associations between cognitive function and the clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of patients with BP-I.

Methods:

Cognitive function was evaluated by applying a neuropsychological battery to a group of patients with a BP-I diagnosis, who did not have affective episodes for at least 6 months, and who were outpatients treated at the San Juan de Dios Clinic in Manizales. The statistical analysis involved using clustering methodology in order to divide those patients with the best and worst cognitive function and it was later correlated with the clinical and socio-demographic variables.

Results:

A statistically significant corrrelation was found between the number of years of education and the age the disorder started with alterations in the level of cognitive function (P=.002 and P=.017 respectively). No significant correlations were found with other variables.

Conclusions:

An early onset of the pathology and fewer years of education seems to be risk factors associated with poorer cognitive function in patients with BP-I.

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