Medical monitoring in patients with bipolar disorder: a review of data.

Patients with bipolar disorder have been found to have high rates of endocrine and cardiovascular disorders as well as obesity. Some health problems may be influenced by the psychiatric disorder itself, and, similarly, health problems may influence the course of bipolar disorder. Further, some pharmacologic treatments used for bipolar disorder have been associated with obesity, diabetes, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, prolonged QTc, and thyroid dysfunction. To optimize care and achieve the best possible treatment outcomes, integrated psychiatric and medical care is needed.