Background: Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a major psychiatric problem characterized by fluctuation of mood disrupts of the effected person and disturb the social and personal life that create a big socioeconomic burden for the family. Objective of current study was to calculate the prevalence and potential etiologies of bipolar disorder among females of reproductive age.

Methods : An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 218 females of reproductive age (15-44) years who were selected from the general population of Gujarat, Pakistan. Those females who were reported or diagnose with schizophrenia, taking medicine for any psychiatric condition were excluded. A standard questionnaire, Bipolar Spectrum Disorder Scale (BSDS) for the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS, version 24.00 at 95% confidence interval. Chi-Square test and Binary Logistic Regression model were applied for association.

Results: Average age of 218 females was 29.08±6.87 years, 96(44.04%) participants had BMI >25kg/m². Active smoking ; OR=6.612(3.09-14.12), manic episodes ; OR=2.971(1.41-6.24), depression; OR=2.282(1.09-4.76), history of physical trauma; OR=6.164(2.89-13.17), history of emotional trauma; OR=3.823(1.82-8.03), comorbidity ;OR=4.231(2.01-8.91), sleep disturbance; OR= 2.730 (1.27-5.85)were found statistical significant with p-value<0.001and potential risk factors.

Conclusion: Prevalence of bipolar disorder among females of reproductive age was found high. Active smoking, manic episodes, depression, history of physical trauma, history of emotional trauma, comorbidity, pregnancy or obstetric complications and sleep disturbance were potential etiologies of bipolar disorder.   

Keywords: prevalence, etiologies, bipolar disorder, reproductive age, Bipolar Spectrum Disorder Scale