Table 1 Background characteristics of participants, n  = 180

n, % female

121 (60.0)

38 (45.0)

21 (52.0)

p  > 0.16

Age

35.71 (12.35)

31.66 (10.87)

32.29 (10.57)

p  > 0.16

Employed, % (n)

17 (20)

50 (19)

57 (12)

BD:HC (p  = 0.002)

UR:HC (p  = 0.88)

Student, % (n)

31 (37)

39 (15)

33 (7)

p  > 0.42

Unemployed, % (n)

30 (36)

8 (3)

10 (2)

BD:HC (p  = 0.001)

UR:HC (p  = 0.76)

Education (years)

13.68 (4.66)

15.58 (1.57)

15.07 (2.62)

BD:HC (p  = 0.03)

UR:HC (p  = 0.89)

Bipolar subtype I, % (n)

38 (46)

N/A

N/A

N/A

HAMD at inclusion

10.84 (6.93)

0.95 (1.62)

3.10 (3.32)

BD:HC (p  < 0.001)

UR:HC (p  = 0.38)

YMRS at inclusion

3.76 (4.71)

0.51 (0.98)

1.25 (1.92)

BD:HC (p  < 0.001)

UR:HC (p  = 0.77)

Previous hospitalizations (number)

4 [1–50]

N/A

N/A

N/A

Previous depressive episodes (number)

10 [1–80]

N/A

N/A

N/A

Previous (hypo)manic episodes (number)

14 [1–182]

N/A

N/A

N/A

Illness duration (years)

14.86 (10.37)

N/A

N/A

N/A

Psychotropic medication

 Anticonvulsant, % (n)

42 (51)

N/A

N/A

N/A

 Lithium, % (n)

48 (58)

N/A

N/A

N/A

 Antipsychotics, % (n)

49 (59)

N/A

N/A

N/A

 Antidepressants, % (n)

18 (22)

N/A

N/A

N/A