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


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Bech
P
P
Psychiatric Research Unit, Frederiksborg General Hospital, Denmark.
Baastrup
P C
PC
de Bleeker
E
E
Ropert
R
R
D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002746:Chlorpromazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003006:Clopenthixol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012015:Reference Standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; C060342:clopenthixol acetate ester; D003006:Clopenthixol; D006220:Haloperidol; D002746:Chlorpromazine