Aripiprazole once-monthly for the treatment of adult patients with earlier-stage bipolar I disorder: a post hoc analysis of data from a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 52-week randomized withdrawal trial.

Background: Increased awareness of the factors contributing to the diagnostic disparities seen in bipolar disorder between individuals of different heritage is needed to achieve equity in diagnosis and treatment. One such inequity is the provision of earlier treatment. Earlier treatment of patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder may prolong time to recurrence of mood episodes and reduce functional impairment and other poor outcomes associated with disease progression.