Asian Journal of Biological Sciences1996-3351xxxx-xxxxScience International10.3923/ajbs.2009.29.34HosseiniS.H. YousefiM. Karkhaneh 1200921Current psychiatry research is focused on various aspects of Quality Of Life (QOL) in different disorders especially bipolar disorder. Frequent depressive episodes, coupled with being a chronic disease causes less satisfaction with quality of life among bipolar patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the QOL and general functioning among chronic type I bipolar disorder patients. One hundred patients who had bipolar-I disorder according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) for 10 years, were selected. Besides demographic characteristics, number of manic-depressive episodes, drug consumption and substance dependency, quality of life questionnaire [Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)] including bodily pain, physical function, role limitation-physical, general health, vitality, social function, role limitation-emotional and mental health, were completed and global functioning of the patients were evaluated by Global Assessment Functioning (GAF) scales. Of 100 patients, 50% were women. Family history of bipolar disorder was positive in 35% of studied patients. Cigarette smoking was seen in 26% patients, while 73% of the patients reported use of drugs regularly. The patients had significantly lower scores than the general population on all scales except role limitation-physical and role limitation-emotional that was significant statistically (p<0.05). In patients with substance abuse, the mean of general functioning level, social function and role limitation-physical was better than non-drug user patients (p<0.001). Bipolar disorder is a chronic psychological disease influenced all aspects of QOL. Social, occupational and financial support of the patients and their family are necessary.]]>Arnold, L.M., K.A. Weitzman, M.L. Swank, S.L. M.C.E. Lory and P.E. Keck Jr,200057235259Benjamin, J.S. and A.S. Virginia, 20058th Edn.,pp: 1636-1641pp: 1636-1641Benjamin, J.S. and A.S. Virginia,200710th Edn.,pp: 550-557pp: 550-557Cooke, R.G., J.C. Robb, L.T. Young and R.T. Joffe,1996399397Kusznir, A., R.G. Cooke and L.T. Young,2000618185Leidy, N.K., C. Palmer, M. Murray, J. Robb and D.A. Revicki,199848207214MacQueen G.M., L.T. Young, J.C. Robb, M. Marriot, R.G. Cooke and R.T. Joffe,2000101374381Montazeri, A., A. Goshtasebi, M. Vahdaninia and B. Gandek,200514875880Namjoshi, M.A., G. Rajamannar, T. Jacobs, T.M. Sanger and R. Risser et al.,200269109118Ozar, S., A. Ulusahin, S. Batur, E. Kabakci and M.C. Saka,2002373137Perlis, R.H., S. Miyahara, L.B. Marangell, S.R. Wisniewski and M. Ostacher et al.,200455875881Patrick, D.L. and P. Erickson,19931993pp: 11-46pp: 11-46Robb, J.C., L.T. Young, R.G. Cooke and R.T. Joffe,199849189193Pyne, J.M., T.L. Patterson, R.M. Kaplan, J.C. Gillin and W.L. Koch,199748224230Robb, J.C., R.G. Cook, G.M. Devins, L.T. Young and R.T. Joffe,199731509517Simon, G.E., D.A. Revicki, L. Grothaus and M. Vonkorff,199836567572Shi, L., M.A. Namjoshi, R. Swindle, X. Yu, R. Risser, R.W. Baker and M. Tohen,200426125134The WHOQOL Groups,19951014031409Wells, K.B. and C.D. Sherburne,199956897904Ten Have, M., W. Vollebergh, R. Bijl and W.A. Nolen,200268203213