Preliminary results from a large-scale global study of people living with bipolar disorder, presented today at the World Congress of Biological Psychiatry (WCBP), found that patient satisfaction with treatment is achieved through combining broad-based efficacy with a favourable tolerability profile.
The Thinking Ahead Survey, included 687 bipolar patients from seven countries (UK, US, Germany, Italy, Canada, Spain and Greece). These preliminary results indicate that:
- 88% of respondents said drug treatment satisfaction is largely influenced by how effective it is, followed then by patients experiencing few or manageable side effects (77%)
- 79% of respondents believe that a successful treatment would be one which leads to significant quality of life changes in terms of increased functionality and improved lifestyle.
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a severe biological disorder that affects approximately 3-4% of the adult population. More than half of those with bipolar disorder stop taking their medication at some point during their illness, subjecting themselves to a high risk of relapse and an increased risk of suicide.
"As someone who lives with bipolar disorder I need a treatment which can control the manic symptoms but also treat the more disabling depressive symptoms," comments Michael Grinter, SEROQUEL patient and Thinking Ahead Taskforce member. "The treatment that I am currently taking, SEROQUEL, has brought an enormous benefit to my life in terms of controlling both poles of my mood and has enabled me to return to work and live a fully functioning life. It has provided me with the confidence to enjoy each day again."
Recently-published SEROQUEL (quetiapine) data in the Journal of Current Medical Research and Opinion confirm SEROQUEL's efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of bipolar mania symptoms, as a single agent.8
The announcement of these landmark survey results coincides with other important data presented at the WCBP, which address the clinical benefits that SEROQUEL offers bipolar disorder consumers. The preliminary data show that patients with bipolar depression taking SEROQUEL: