A very recently published study in the Journal of Affective Disorders confirmed earlier research showing significant gender differences in symptoms of bipolar type I disorder.
Variables examined for gender differences were demographics , illness course , clinical comorbidity, and temperament among a population of 1090 bipolar type I manic inpatients diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria.
Women with bipolar I disorder predominantly presented with depression both during their first episode as well as in subsequent episodes. They had higher rates of mixed mania, suicidal behavior, and a greater incidence of depressive temperament (the tendency to view things from a slightly depressive perspective even when not symptomatic). Women also had higher rates of eating, anxiety, and endocrine / metabolic disorders.
Men with bipolar type I disorder presented predominantly with mania. They tended to have an earlier onset of the illness, showed greater comorbidity with alcoholic and other substance use, neurological disorders and cancer..
The limitations of the study include the retrospective analysis of data, and the sample being limited to a diagnosis of bipolar type I and therefore not representative of the full spectrum of bipolar disorder.
Risks associated with gender differences in bipolar I disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, Available online 6 September 2013, Jean-Michel Azorin, Raoul Belzeaux, Arthur Kaladjian, Marc Adida, Elie Hantouche, Sylvie Lancrenon, Eric Fakra.