ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES : The aim of this study was to report the developmental process of the patient mood chart (named the Patient Mood Chart, PMC), and to test its validity and utility. METHODS : One hundred twenty nine subjects with bipolar disorder, as diagnosed using DSM-IV criteria, completed the PMC. A trained clinician administered the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), the Montgomery A sberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS), the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF).Mood ratings on the PMC were compared with clinician-rated measures taken at initial visits and 6- month follow-ups. To examine the utility of the PMC, a patient questionnaire-type survey was done. RESULTS : Depressive symptom ratings on the PMC were highly correlated with the HAMD, MADRS and IDS scores. Manic symptom ratings on the PMC were correlated with the YMRS scores. Similarly, a strong correlation was found between mood chart scores and the GAF scores. Most patients considered the PMC to be useful and helpful. CONCLUSION : These findings support the validity and utility of the PMC. The PMC can be used for prospective assessment of symptom changes, treatment response, and long-term course for subjects with bipolar disorder