Differences in outcomes between older community‐dwelling patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia with illness onset at young age

Aim Older community‐dwelling patients with severe mental illness (SMI), particularly those with illness onset at young age, constitute a group of survivors with unique long‐term care needs. Using an Asian sample in Taiwan, we attempted to find out the differences in outcomes related to physical health, cognition, and social functioning between older community‐dwelling adults with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia with early age onset. Methods Community‐dwelling patients aged >50 years with bipolar I disorder or schizophrenia whose illness developed before the age of 40 years were recruited. Clinical data were obtained by reviewing all available medical records and by interviewing the patients and their reliable family members. Medical morbidities, Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics (CIRS‐G), and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores were compared between the two groups. Results In total, 113 bipolar patients and 104 schizophrenic ones (mean ages = 59.8 and 59.2 years, respectively) became the final subjects. The rates of cognitive impairment (MMSE score