Objective: The disorders such as hypersexuality, substance abuse or disability in bipolar patients, especially at the manic phase, are high risk behaviors for transmission of viral infections such as HBV, HCV and HIV. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of HBV, HCV and HIV infections among patients with bipolar disorder who were admitted to Elazig Mental Health Hospital in 2015.

This retrospective study included 624 patients with bipolar disorder who were carried out hepatitis and HIV screening tests. HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV and anti-HIV tests were analyzed by ELISA method

Results: The seroprevalency of HBsAg and Anti-HBs in 624 patients with a mean age of 36.7 ± 11.6 was detected as 3% and 42.9% respectively. It was not detected a significant difference in the seroprevalence rates of HBsAg and anti-HBs among genders. While it was not detected a significant difference for HBsAg, the seroprevelance of anti-HBs was significantly higher in the <20 age group (p = 0.001). While AST and ALT levels in the seropositive patients were within the normal ranges, LDH level was to be near the upper limit. In 622 patients who were performed HCV screening test, the seroprevalence of anti-HCV was found to be 0.5%. The anti-HIV test in all of the 514 patients who were performed the HIV screening test was detected to be negative.

Conclusion: The frequency of HBV and HCV in patients with bipolar disorder was detected to be similar to the normal population. However, it should be taken the measures to reduce the risk of transmission in these patient groups, routine serologic tests should be performed and anti-HBs negative patients should be included in the HBV vaccination program.