The Roots of Metacognitive Failures in Bipolar Disorders: Clinical Determinants of the Discrepancy Between Objective and Subjective Cognition in the Versailles FACE-BD Cohort

Metacognitive abilities have been scarcely investigated in bipolar disorders, with inconsistent results. This may appear somewhat surprising, as metacognitive training is a very promising intervention aiming at improving psychosocial functioning in bipolar disorders. One way to investigate metacognition is to address the discrepancy between objectively measured cognition (through neuropsychological testing) and subjective cognition (through self-reported questionnaire investigating one's perception of cognitive functioning).

Objective and subjective cognition are two fundamental determinants of functioning in bipolar disorder. Objectively-measured cognition is directly associated with performance-based functional capacity but not with self-reported or interview-based functional capacity. In contrast, subjectively-measured cognition is associated with self-reported and interview-based functional capacity, but not performance-based functional capacity.

Associations between subjective cognitive functioning and neuropsychological performances are usually weak, with a moderating effect of manic and depressive symptoms. Manic symptoms are associated with a decrease in cognitive complains, whereas depressive symptoms are associated with an increase in cognitive complaints. Predictors of the discrepancy between objective and subjective cognition in bipolar disorder are still weakly understood. One study reported that the subjective overestimation of cognitive dysfunctioning was positively predicted by more subsyndromal depressive and manic symptoms, hospitalizations, and BD type II. This study also reported that the subjective overestimation of cognitive dysfunctioning was associated with greater socio-occupational difficulties, more perceived stress, and lower quality of life.

However, these previous studies had relatively limited sample sizes (below 150). They also ignored other potential predictors of the discrepancy between objective and subjective cognitions such as psychotic features, impulsiveness, and childhood trauma. Moreover, they also ignored whether this discrepancy was associated with medication adherence.

The present study intends to explore the predictors of the discrepancy between objective and subjective cognition in bipolar disorder in a cross-sectional sample of 387 stable outpatients with bipolar disorders (type 1, type 2, not otherwise specified). All participants were included in the Versailles FACE-BD Cohort and were recruited via the Versailles FondaMental Center of expertise for Bipolar Disorders. BD was diagnosed based on the structured clinical interview that assesses DSM-IV-TR criteria.