OBJECTIVES: To investigate excess all-cause mortality among individuals with bipolar disorder in Finland and examine time trends in the mortality gap between individuals with bipolar disorder and the general population during 2000-2023. METHODS: Individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder during 1975-2023 in Finland were identified using the Care Register for Health Care and linked to population register data on mortality and demographics. Mortality was examined using age-standardized rates per 100,000 person-years. Relative excess mortality was estimated using mortality rate ratios (RRs) comparing individuals with bipolar disorder with the general population, stratified by sex and age group. RESULTS: During 2000-2023, individuals with bipolar disorder had substantially higher all-cause mortality than the general population. The age-standardized mortality rate ratios were 2.85 (95% CI 2.77-2.92) for men and 3.25 (95% CI 3.14-3.36) for women. Mortality declined over time in both groups, and relative excess mortality decreased, although improvements were not uniform across age and sex groups. Relative excess mortality was particularly elevated among younger individuals and was more pronounced in women than in men. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with bipolar disorder in Finland experience substantial excess all-cause mortality compared with the general population. Although relative excess mortality declined during 2000-2023, it remains considerable. Because causes of death were not examined, these all-cause estimates do not identify specific drivers of excess mortality, especially in younger age groups where relative excess mortality is highest.
Rimmington et al. (Sun,) studied this question.