Researchers Develop Calculator to Predict Risk of Bipolar Disorder in Youth

Youth with subthreshold manic symptoms are at greater risk of developing bipolar disorder. Researchers have developed a risk calculator that can predict which of these at-risk youth are most likely to convert to bipolar disorder within five years. In astudy published in theJournal of the American Academy of Child& Adolescent Psychiatry, the researchers showed this bipolar risk calculator could identify bipolar conversion with about 71% accuracy.“The quantification of an individual’s risk could inform treatment decisions, such as the use and specific choice of antidepressant medications for a depressed BP-NOS [bipolar disorder–not otherwise specified] youth at high risk for conversion vs. a depressed BP-NOS youth at low risk for conve rsion,” wrote Boris Birmaher, M.D., of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and colleagues. “Moreover, quantification of an individual’s risk will enable the youth (and the family) to more accurately understand his/her own level of risk, which may in turn have a positive effect on t reatment engagement and adherence.”Birmaher and colleagues selected predictor variables for the risk calculator based on the results of a recent meta-analysis that identified common prodromal symptoms in individuals who later developed bipolar disorder. The final calculator included mood-related scores on the K-SADS Kiddie Mania Rating Scale and Kiddie Depression Rating Scale, as well as scores on the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emoti...
Source: Psychiatr News - Category: Psychiatry Tags: bipolar disorder Bipolar risk calculator Boris Birmaher BP-NOS child and adolescent psychiatry Journal of the American Academy of Child & subthreshold mania Source Type: research