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Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 15:627-633, July 2007
© 2007 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
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Brief Report

Comparison of Older Patients With Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia/Schizoaffective Disorder

Sanjay Gupta, M.D., Charles H. Steinmeyer, Ph.D., Kari Lockwood, R.N., Barbara Lentz, R.N., and Kay Schultz, R.N.

From the Department of Psychiatry, Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY (SG); Department of Psychiatry, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY (SG); Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY (SG); Global Research and Consulting, Olean, NY (CHS, KL); and the Continuing Day Treatment Program (BL, KS), Olean, NY.

Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore differences in measures of symptoms and cognition, side effects, and functional impairment between older patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Methods: Representative samples (N = 132) of older patients (age >54 years) with either bipolar disorder or schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder were compared on several clinical and psychosocial variables. The measures used included the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, The Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms, the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale, the Clinical Global Impression, and the Mini-Mental Status Examination.

Results: Despite being similar in age (mean age: 68 years), patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder had significantly greater negative symptoms (Cohen's d = 1.2), a higher clinical global impression of impairment (Cohen's d = 1.16), were less likely to drive (Cohen's d = 0.79), were less likely to be married (Cohen's d = 0.55), and less likely to live independently (Cohen's d = 0.45).

Conclusion: Although the absolute ratings suggested both diagnostic samples had significant disability, those with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder had a greater degree of impairment.

Key Words: schizophrenia • bipolar disorder • elderly






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