Regarding affective symptoms which were rated by trained SSAGA interviewers, significant differences between bipolar groups were detected over time (MANOVA F-value: 4.04; df 3; p: 0.009). Post-hoc tests revealed that groups 1–3 individuals improved while group 4 individuals deteriorated regarding their magnitude of affective symptoms during the follow-up period. Regarding social functioning over time, GAF scores remained unchanged or improved in groups 1 to 3 subjects over time, while for group 4 subjects a significant decrease of their level of social functioning was observed (MANOVA F-value: 9.92; df 3; p < 0.001) (Tables 3, 4).
