Comparison of older patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder.

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.