Prevalence of Bipolar Disorder in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
A systematic review of 34 studies found that bipolar disorder (BD) prevalence in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is between 1% and 20%, with a pooled prevalence of 3%. MS patients were shown to have about three times greater odds of developing BD compared to the general population (odds ratio of 3.84).
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- #Other
- Most relevant to
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- Human efficacy
- Not yet assessed
- Mechanism
- Not yet assessed
- Evidence strength
- Not yet assessed
- Outcome
- Not yet assessed
Why it matters
The findings highlight a possible significant comorbidity of BD in MS patients, suggesting the need for awareness and monitoring of psychiatric disorders in this group.
What this does not prove
This analysis does not establish a direct causal relationship between MS and BD and notes variability in prevalence by region without explanation.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Systematic review
- Participants / samples
- 34 · Number of studies included in the meta-analysis
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- Not reported
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Other
Original sources
- Primary evidencePrevalence and Odds of Bipolar Disorder in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS): a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. ↗DOI: 10.26574/maedica.2026.21.3.705
Supporting passages (7)
study designSystematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
subjectsPatients with multiple sclerosis (MS) suffer from a wide range of physical and psychiatric disorders.
sample sizeRESULTS: A literature search revealed 2228 records, of which 107 full texts were evaluated and finally, 34 studies remained for systematic review.
sample size basisThe prevalence of BD in included studies ranged between 1% and 20%, and the estimated pooled prevalence was 3% (95% CI 2-4%) (I2=99%, p<0.001).
research categoriesa wide range of physical and psychiatric disorders.
findingsThe pooled prevalence of BD in patients with MS was estimated as 3% (95% CI 1-5%) in America and Europe continents (3%, 95% CI: 1-8%), and 2% (95% CI 1-3%) in Asia.
limitationsThe findings of this systematic review indicate that BD is relatively common among MS patients, who have an approximately threefold higher risk of developing BD than the general population.
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