Prepubertal and young adolescent bipolarity versus ADHD: assessment and validity using the WASH-U-KSADS, CBCL and TRF.
BACKGROUND
This addendum to 'Prepubertal and early adolescent bipolarity differentiate from ADHD by mania criteria; grandiose delusions; ultra-rapid or ultradian cycling' (in this volume) provides (1) a description of Washington University at St. Louis Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (WASH-U-KSADS) with sample sections (hypersexuality, rapid cycling); (2) a comparison of WASH-U-KSADS to KSADS-P/L and KSADS-1986 and (3) a comparison of WASH-U-KSADS to Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Teachers Report Form (TRF) data.


METHODS
Data were from the first 60 bipolar (BP) and first 60 ADHD subjects of 270 consecutively ascertained cases (90 BP, 90 ADHD and 90 community controls) in the NIMH funded 'Phenomenology and Course of Pediatric Bipolarity' study. Comprehensive assessments included the WASH-U-KSADS (administered blindly to mothers and separately to children), CBCL and TRF.


RESULTS
As reported elsewhere in this volume, WASH-U-KSADS data significantly differentiated BP and ADHD groups. Significant differences were also found with the parent-rated CBCL and the teacher-rated TRF, thereby providing cross-modality and cross-informant validation of the WASH-U-KSADS. Because of the close agreement with published CBCL data from another investigator, cross-site validation also occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Venues for consecutive ascertainment from the lowest socioeconomic status classes were unavailable due to current health care policies.


CONCLUSIONS
CBCL and TRF data separated BP from ADHD groups, largely by non-specific externalizing dimensions (e.g., hyperactivity, aggressivity). Clinically relevant differentiation by categorical mania-specific criteria (e.g., elated mood, grandiosity, racing thoughts) occurred with WASH-U-KSADS data. Both types of data are crucial for genetic and neurobiological studies.
Geller
B
B
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA. gellerb@medicine.wustl.edu
Warner
K
K
Williams
M
M
Zimerman
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results