Review

Employment outcomes in people with bipolar disorder: a systematic review

  1. S. Marwaha1,2,*,
  2. A. Durrani3,
  3. S. Singh4

Article first published online: 4 FEB 2013

DOI: 10.1111/acps.12087

Additional Information

How to Cite

Marwaha S, Durrani A, Singh S. Employment outcomes in people with bipolar disorder: a systematic review.

Author Information

  1. 1

    Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK

  2. 2

    Early intervention in psychosis service, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust, Swansell point, Stoney Stanton Lane, Coventry, UK

  3. 3

    NHS Lanarkshire, Motherwell, UK

  4. 4

    Mental Health and Wellbeing, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK

* Dr Steven Marwaha, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
E-mail: s.marwaha@warwick.ac.uk

Publication History

  1. Article first published online: 4 FEB 2013
  2. Manuscript Accepted: 21 DEC 2012
  3. Manuscript Revised: 5 NOV 2012
  4. Manuscript Received: 2 JUL 2012

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Keywords:

  • bipolar disorder;
  • employment;
  • work;
  • outcome

Objective

Employment outcome in bipolar disorder is an under investigated, but important area. The aim of this study was to identify the long-term employment outcomes of people with bipolar disorder.

Method

A systematic review using the Medline, PsychInfo and Web of Science databases.

Results

Of 1962 abstracts retrieved, 151 full text papers were read. Data were extracted from 25 papers representing a sample of 4892 people with bipolar disorder and a mean length of follow-up of 4.9 years. Seventeen studies had follow-up periods of up to 4 years and eight follow-up of 5–15 years. Most studies with samples of people with established bipolar disorder suggest approximately 40–60% of people are in employment. Studies using work functioning measures mirrored this result. Bipolar disorder appears to lead to workplace underperformance and 40–50% of people may suffer a slide in their occupational status over time. Employment levels in early bipolar disorder were higher than in more established illness.

Conclusion

Bipolar disorder damages employment outcome in the longer term, but up to 60% of people may be in employment. Whilst further studies are necessary, the current evidence provides support for extending the early intervention paradigm to bipolar disorder.

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