A comparative evaluation of three self-rating scales for acute mania

This study compared the performance of three self-rating mania scales. The Internal State Scale (ISS), the Self-Report Manic Inventory (SRMI), and the Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale (ASRM), in a group of patients with acute m ania. Forty-four adult inpatients with bipolar disorder, manic or mixed, co mpleted all scales shortly after admission, and 31 patients completed them again after 4-6 weeks of pharmacotherapy. Patients also were rated by, clin icians on the Clinician-Administered Rating Scale for Mania (CARS-M). At ba seline, scores on the ASRM and the ISS well-being subscale were significant ly, correlated with CARS-M scores. Posttreatment scores were significantly decreased for the ASRM, SRMI, and the ISS activation subscale. The sensitiv ities for each scale to correctly, identify, patients with acute symptoms w as 45% for the ISS, 86% for the SRMI, and 93% for the ASRM Specificities we re 73%, 46.6%, and 33%, respectively. The ASRM and SRMI were more sensitive than the ISS in screening patients with acute mania. All three measures we re sensitive to treatment effects; however, the item content of the SRMI an d the poor sensitivity of the ISS may limit their utility, in inpatient set tings. Biol Psychiatry 2001;50:468-471 (C) 2001 Society of Biological Psych iatry.