Application of screening techniques for early diagnostics of bipolar afapplication of screening techniques for early diagnosis of a risk of bipolar disorder in adolescents

Abstract

Aim. To assess the possibility of combined application of screening methods for early detection of risks of bipolar disorder in adolescents.Materials and methods. The study included 139 adolescents aged 13–16 years. A clinical psychopathology assessment as well as screening methods were used. The screening methods included the Bipolar Spectrum Diagnostic Scale ((BSDS), R. Pies, 2005) and the Mood Disorder Questionnaire ((MDQ), R.M. Hirschfeld, 2000).Results. The clinical psychopathology assessment was performed in accordance with criteria of ICD-10, Class V. No mental and behavioral disorders (F00-F99), including affective pathology, were identified. Following the MDQ screening, the risk of bipolar disorder was revealed in 63 individuals (45.3%; 95 % confidence interval (CI): (36.8–53.9). When the BSDS method was used, the risk of bipolar disorder was revealed in 16.2% of cases (CI: (11.9–28.3)). The combined use of the screening scales (MDQ and BSDS) confirmed their consistency in detecting values both not exceeding (48.7% of the cases) and exceeding the threshold rates (17.1% of the cases).Conclusion. Early diagnosis of a risk of bipolar disorder in adolescents, along with a clinical psychopathology assessment, may include application of screening scales. Сombined use of several screening methods is justified by polymorphism of initial hypomanic and depressive states, as well as by difficulties in subjective assessment of symptoms of bipolar disorder in adolescents.

Keywords

• подростки
• биполярное аффективное расстройство
• гипомания
• скрининговые методы