Bipolar disorders rating scales

In clinical practice in the treatment of bipolar disorder, many agents are used. Comparative or adjunctive efficacy are important considerations. In an open 12-week, randomized assignment study valproate was compared with lithium in 300 patients with acute mania [3 ]. Overall the two drugs reduced manic symptoms equally well, but valproate was superior to lithium in the number of subjects who achieved remission (72% versus 66%, defined as a Young Mania Rating Scale score of less than 12). Both drugs were associated with a 44% adverse effect rate. 

The lifedme populadon prevalence of Bipolar I disorder in the United States is about 1% (Kessler et al., 1994). There is no gender prevalence, with women as likely as men to develop the illness. The prevalence of bipolar I disorder does not appear to be influenced by race, ethnicity, or geography. Similar prevalence rates are reported in most coundies, although large scale cross nadonal and cross-cultural studies are needed. The prevalence of bipolar II disorder is less well understood, but is estimated to be about 3-5% (Berk and Dodd, 2005). Needless to say, padents with bipolar II disorder may be less likely to come to medical attendon. 

---