Monitoring for metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular disease in bipolar disorder: A shared illness process approach

Abstract

The alarming rates of physical health comorbidity in bipolar disorder, primarily metabolic and cardiovascular illness, place a heavy burden on patient quality of life and healthcare. Despite clear advice and the widespread availability for monitoring and intervention, clinicians continue to overlook the physical health of patients with psychiatric disorders and psychological problems. Therefore, the associations between these chronic mental illnesses and the role of physical health monitoring and intervention strategies warrant evaluation. The aim of this chapter is to review metabolic and cardiovascular disease monitoring practices in bipolar disorder. In doing so, the links between bipolar disorder, metabolic function, and cardiovascular disease and potential shared illness processes are examined. On the basis of this, clinical and research recommendations are outlined. With greater understanding of the shared illness processes for bipolar disorder and metabolic and cardiovascular dysfunction, improvements in the monitoring and treatment of patients with bipolar disorder may be developed. By considering a shared illness process approach, bipolar disorder-specific solutions for more informative monitoring and targeted healthcare options may be implemented into routine psychiatric practice. This will facilitate better lifelong management of the psychological and physical health of patients with bipolar disorder.