Treatment Characteristics and Illness Burden Among European Americans, African Americans, and Latinos in the First 2,000 Patients of the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder

Across ethnicity/race, prevalence rates of bipolar disorder are similar. However, African Americans and Latinos may receive less specialty mental health treatment and different medications, and may be less adherent to treatment regimens than European American patients. This study compared illness characteristics, treatment history, and overall functioning in a sample of European American, African American, and Latino patients with bipolar disorder. Methods: The samples were drawn from the first 2,000 patients enrolled in the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder. There were 1,686 European Americans, 65 African Americans, and 77 Latinos. The data were collected upon study entry, with structured interviews, clinician-rated forms, and self-report. Results: African Americans had a greater likelihood of psychosis and fewer psychiatric medication prescriptions than did European Americans. Latinos had greater alcohol comorbidity, fewer psychiatric medication prescriptions and specialty treatment visits, and more frequent religious service attendance than did European Americans. Depression and manic episode severity and functional outcomes