The 'real world' utility of a web-based bipolar disorder screening measure: A replication study

BackgroundWe previously reported high acceptance of the Mood Swings Questionnaire (MSQ) bipolar disorder screening measure, as well as improved outcomes for those completing the test, leading to this independent replication study.MethodsIndividuals accessing the web-based MSQ provided baseline and 3-month follow-up data assessing depression and hypo/manic severity, quality of life and overall functioning, while we evaluated any subsequent actions. A total of 670 participants scoring above MSQ cut-off but not previously diagnosed as having a bipolar disorder were studied, with three principal sample sub-sets derived: 141 who 'took no action', 394 who took action but did not receive a confirmed clinical diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and 135 who took action and had a bipolar diagnosis confirmed by their health professional.ResultsAs reported in the initial study, the MSQ was viewed as informative by participants. All three sample sub-sets improved on key study measures-with those receiving a confirmed bipolar diagnosis (and thus most likely to have management plans modified) reporting the greatest improvement.LimitationsWeb-based recruitment risked an unrepresentative sample of individuals with bipolar disorder; sample members may have been biased by high levels of cooperativeness; the MSQ's psychometric properties in community web-based samples remain unestablished.ConclusionsResults were strikingly consistent with those quantified in the initial study. Findings-including high acceptance and a superior outcome for those who had a bipolar diagnosis clinically confirmed following a 'positive' screen-provide further support for the 'real world' utility of the MSQ screening measure for bipolar disorder.