Assessing the community prevalence of bipolar spectrum symptoms by the mood disorder questionnaire.

BACKGROUND

The goal of this study was to assess the frequency and spectrum of symptoms related to bipolar disorders in a community sample by means of a self-rating questionnaire.

METHOD: The Mood Disorder Questionnaire, a self-rating scale which evaluates DSM-IV manic/hypomanic symptoms, was administered to a community sample of 1,034 individuals recruited through advertisements. Symptom interrelationships were studied by factor analysis.

RESULTS

275 individuals (26.6%) reported moderate or severe impairment due to the symptoms. Manic/hypomanic symptoms were present in a high proportion of individuals. Factor analysis found a two-factor structure of bipolar spectrum symptoms (an elevated mood overactivity factor, and an irritable behavior factor).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study highlight the need of complementing clinical investigations on the bipolar spectrum with community studies. Subclinical manic-hypomanic symptoms may be present also in allegedly unipolar patients and may have implications on the course of illness.