Development and Validation of a Screening Instrument for Bipolar Spectrum Disorder: The Mood Disorder Questionnaire

Robert M. A. Hirschfeld(The University of Texas at Austin), Janet B. W. Williams(The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), Robert L. Spitzer(The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), Joseph R. Calabrese(The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), Laurie M. Flynn(The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), Paul E. Keck(The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), Lydia Lewis(The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), Susan L. McElroy(The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), Robert M. Post(The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), Daniel Rapport(The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), James M. Russell(The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), Gary S. Sachs(The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), John Zajecka(The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston)
American Journal of Psychiatry
November 1, 2000
10.1176/appi.ajp.157.11.1873
Cited by 1,522

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.

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