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Dimensionality, responsiveness and standardization of the Bech–Rafaelsen Mania Scale in the ultra‐short therapy with antipsychotics in patients with severe manic episodes
Author(s) -
Bech P.,
Baastrup P. C.,
De Bleeker E.,
Ropert R.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0447.2001.00244.x
Subject(s) - mania , clinical global impression , psychology , bipolar disorder , psychiatry , external validity , statistic , clinical psychology , medicine , mood , statistics , mathematics , social psychology , alternative medicine , pathology , placebo
Objective: Typical antipsychotics have their indication in the ultra‐short (first week) treatment of severe episodes of mania. In this setting the Bech–Rafaelsen Mania Scale (MAS) was psychometrically compared with the Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI) to assess its ability to measure response. Method: Ratings on patients with marked to severe mania ( n =80) who participated in the clinical trials to evaluate the ultra‐short antimanic effect of zuclopenthixol acetate were assessed. The MAS was analysed for internal validity (total score a sufficient statistic) and for external validity. Results: The MAS was shown to have a high internal validity showing onset of action already after days of treatment. After 6 days of treatment 53% of the patients responded according to the MAS but only 30% according to the CGI. The difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: The MAS has been found to be a valid scale to measure early onset of action and response in the ultra‐short antimanic treatment with typical antipsychotics.