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Open Access 01-12-2003 | Research article

Seasonal changes, sleep length and circadian preference among twins with bipolar disorder

Authors: Reeta Hakkarainen, Carolina Johansson, Tuula Kieseppä, Timo Partonen, Markku Koskenvuo, Jaakko Kaprio, Jouko Lönnqvist

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2003

Abstract

Background

We aimed at studying the seasonal changes in mood and behaviour, the distribution of hospital admissions by season, and the persistence of the circadian type in twins with bipolar disorder and their healthy co-twins.

Methods

All Finnish like-sex twins born from 1940 to 1969 were screened for a diagnosis of bipolar type I disorder. The diagnosis was assessed with a structured research interview, and the study subjects (n = 67) filled in the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). For studying the persistence of the habitual sleep length and circadian type, we used data derived from the Finnish Twin Cohort Questionnaire (FTCQ). Bipolar twins were compared with their healthy co-twins.

Results

Bipolar twins had greater seasonal changes in sleep length (p = 0.01) and mood (p = 0.01), and higher global seasonality scores (p = 0.03) as compared with their co-twins with no mental disorder. Sunny days (p = 0.03) had a greater positive effect on wellbeing in the bipolar than healthy co-twins.

Conclusions

Our results support the view that bipolar disorder is sensitive to the environmental influence in general and to the seasonal effect in specific. Exposure to natural light appears to have a substantial effect on wellbeing in twins with bipolar disorder.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/3/6/prepub

Title: Seasonal changes, sleep length and circadian preference among twins with bipolar disorder
Authors: Reeta Hakkarainen
Carolina Johansson
Tuula Kieseppä
Timo Partonen
Markku Koskenvuo
Jaakko Kaprio
Jouko Lönnqvist
Publication date: 01-12-2003
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2003
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-3-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Seasonal changes, sleep length and circadian preference among twins with bipolar disorder

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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