Dimensionality, responsiveness and standardization of the Bech-Rafaelsen Mania Scale in the ultra-short therapy with antipsychotics in patients with severe manic episodes.

Abstract

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.

• Authors: P Bech, P C Baastrup, E de Bleeker, R Ropert
• Journal: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica (Acta Psychiatr Scand) Vol. 104 Issue 1 Pg. 25-30 (Jul 2001) ISSN: 0001-690X [Print] United States
• PMID: 11437746 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antipsychotic Agents
• clopenthixol acetate ester
• Clopenthixol
• Haloperidol
• Chlorpromazine

Topics

• Aged
• Antipsychotic Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Bipolar Disorder (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Chlorpromazine (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Clopenthixol (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Haloperidol (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Psychological Tests
• Psychometrics (statistics & numerical data)
• Reference Standards
• Retrospective Studies
• Severity of Illness Index
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome