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Minor physical anomalies in schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder and the neurodevelopmental continuum of psychosis
Author(s) -
Akabaliev Valentin Hristov,
Sivkov Stefan Todorov,
Mantarkov Mladen Yordanov
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
bipolar disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.285
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1399-5618
pISSN - 1398-5647
DOI - 10.1111/bdi.12211
Subject(s) - bipolar disorder , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , psychosis , psychiatry , psychology , bipolar i disorder , clinical psychology , pediatrics , medicine , mania , cognition
Objectives Minor physical anomalies ( MPA s) have been investigated by numerous studies in patients with schizophrenia in support of the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of the disorder, but have rarely been examined in patients with bipolar disorder or in direct comparisons between the two conditions. The main objective of the present study was to compare the prevalence of MPA s in psychiatrically healthy controls, patients with bipolar I disorder, and patients with schizophrenia. Methods A slightly modified version of the Waldrop Physical Anomaly Scale was used to assess MPA s in psychiatrically healthy controls (n = 103), patients with bipolar I disorder (n = 61), and patients with schizophrenia (n = 128). Results In five out of six topographic regions (mouth, feet, head, eyes, and ears) there was a pattern of lowest regional MPA scores in controls, intermediate in bipolar I disorder, and highest in schizophrenia. The cephalofacial composite score and the total MPA score showed the same pattern, with all between‐group differences being statistically significant. Seven individual MPA s in the discriminant analysis model contributed independently to the prediction of the triple‐dependent status of ‘ psychiatrically healthy control, bipolar I disorder patient, schizophrenia patient ’: high/arched palate, fine electric hair, large gap between first and second toes, third toe ≥ second toe, epicanthus, malformed ears, and furrowed tongue. Conclusions Our findings support the existence of a continuum of neurodevelopmental adversity within the clinical spectrum of psychosis, with bipolar I disorder occupying an intermediate position between psychiatric health and schizophrenia.