People with bipolar disorder live fewer years on average, and part of this gap is explained by physical illnesses that often go unnoticed. Respiratory diseases, such as COPD, asthma or pneumonia, are a major contributor to early deaths, but they are rarely assessed in psychiatric care. 

Our group has recently published in Molecular Psychiatry a meta-analysis including almost one million people with bipolar disorder. We found that these patients have a 73% higher risk of COPD, almost double the risk of asthma, and nearly triple the risk of pneumonia compared with the general population. The increased risk is more evident in younger patients, and women appear to be especially vulnerable to COPD. 

For clinicians, these findings highlight the importance of including respiratory health in the routine care of people with bipolar disorder. Asking about breathing symptoms, considering simple lung function tests, promoting smoking cessation and keeping vaccinations up to date are practical steps that can make a difference. 

This study reminds us that looking after respiratory health in bipolar disorder is not optional: it can save lives and reduce the mortality gap. 

Reference
Laguna-Muñoz D, Jiménez-Peinado A, Jaén-Moreno MJ, et al. Respiratory disease in people with bipolar disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Molecular Psychiatry (2024).