Clinician ratings vs. global ratings of symptom severity: a comparison of symptom measures in the bipolar disorder module, phase II, Texas Medication Algorithm Project.
This study compares ratings obtained with an itemized, clinician-rated, symptom severity measure--the 24-item Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS(24))--to a Physician Global Rating Scale (PhGRS), a Patient Global Rating Scale (PtGRS) and the clinician-completed Multnomah Community Ability Scale (MCAS) in patients with bipolar disorder (BPD). A total of 69 patients (25 inpatients and 44 outpatients) with BPD were enrolled in a feasibility study of the use of medication algorithms in the treatment of BPD. Clinicians at each visit completed the BPRS(24), PhGRS and MCAS, and patients completed the PtGRS. Analyses compared the BPRS(24) and BPRS subscales with the PtGRS, PhGRS and MCAS. PtGRS scores correlated poorly with BPRS(24) and with PhGRS scores at baseline, although PtGRS change scores correlated moderately with BPRS(24) change scores. Baseline BPRS(24) and PhGRS scores correlated moderately at baseline with somewhat stronger correlations found on change scores for the two measures. MCAS scores showed moderate correlations with BPRS(24) scores both at baseline and with change over time. Global assessments by patients or physicians only moderately or poorly reflected BPRS(24) scores. Itemized symptom measures to gauge severity of illness or change over time are preferred over patient or physician global judgments.
Brown
E Sherwood
ES
Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, 75390-8849, Dallas, TX, USA
Rush
A John
AJ
Biggs
Melanie M
MM
Shores-Wilson
Kathy
K
Carmody
Thomas J
TJ
Suppes
Trisha
T
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents