Validity and reliability of the Spanish versions of the Bech-Rafaelsen's mania and melancholia scales for bipolar disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To assess classical psychometric properties of the Spanish versions of the Bech-Rafaelsen's mania (MAS) and melancholia (MES) scales.


METHODS
Observational, prospective, and multicentric study in bipolar out-patients. Convergent validity was assessed against the Young Mania Rating Scale and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Discriminant validity, reliability, and sensitivity to change, were also assessed.


RESULTS
One hundred and thirteen bipolar patients with a manic episode and 102 bipolar patients with a depressive episode were included. Both the MAS and the MES showed appropriate convergent validity (r > 0.90), discriminant validity (P < 0.0001), internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha >0.80), test-retest reliability [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.69 for the MAS and 0.94 for the MES], inter-rater reliability (ICC > 0.80), and sensitivity to change at 4 weeks since inception (P < 0.0001; within-group effect size >or=1.8).


CONCLUSIONS
The Spanish versions of both scales present appropriate psychometric estimates in bipolar patients treated in ambulatory care.
Vieta
E
E
Clinic Hospital, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBER-SAM, Barcelona, Spain.
Bobes
J
J
Ballesteros
J
J
González-Pinto
A
A
Luque
A
A
Ibarra
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013030:Spain