Development and validation of a screening instrument for bipolar spectrum disorder: The mood disorder questionnaire

R. M.A. Hirschfeld, J. B.W. Williams, R. L. Spitzer, J. R. Calabrese, L. Flynn, Jr Keck, L. Lewis, S. L. McElroy, R. M. Post, D. J. Rapport, J. M. Russell, G. S. Sachs, J. Zajecka

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1256 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Bipolar spectrum disorders, which include bipolar I, bipolar II, and bipolar disorder not otherwise specified, frequently go unrecognized, undiagnosed, and untreated. This report describes the validation of a new brief self-report screening instrument for bipolar spectrum disorders called the Mood Disorder Questionnaire. Method: A total of 198 patients attending five outpatient clinics that primarily treat patients with mood disorders completed the Mood Disorder Questionnaire. A research professional, blind to the Mood Disorder Questionnaire results, conducted a telephone research diagnostic interview by means of the bipolar module of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Results: A Mood Disorder Questionnaire screening score of 7 or more items yielded good sensitivity (0.73) and very good specificity (0.90). Conclusions: The Mood Disorder Questionnaire is a useful screening instrument for bipolar spectrum disorder in a psychiatric outpatient population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1873-1875
Number of pages3
JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry
Volume157
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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