To compare mortality in bipolar & unipolar manic-depressive patients, 2168 Danish manic-depressive first admissions were divided into a bipolar group & a unipolar group. When compared to the general population, the total group had an increased mortality by suicides & accidents in both sexes & by non-violent causes in men. However suicide & accident mortality was not significantly different between unipolar & bipolar patients. (16 refs.)