OBJECTIVE:

To examine the usefulness of a parent report version of the Young Mania Rating Scale (P-YMRS) in distinguishing bipolar disorder from other mental health conditions in children and adolescents.

METHOD:

Parents of 117 youths aged 5 to 17 years presenting to an outpatient research center completed an adapted Young Mania Rating Scale (P-YMRS). Eligible subjects underwent a diagnostic evaluation including a semistructured instrument (Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children) and also a clinical evaluation by a child and adolescent psychiatrist in more than 75% of the subjects.

RESULTS:

Factor analyses of the P-YMRS suggested one dimension, with a total score showing acceptable internal consistency (alpha =.75). Logistic regressions discriminated bipolar mood disorder versus unipolar disorder, versus disruptive behavior disorder, and versus any other diagnosis. Classification rates exceeded 78%, and receiver operating characteristics analyses showed good diagnostic efficiency, with areas under the curve greater than 0.82.

CONCLUSIONS:

The P-YMRS may be used to derive clinically meaningful information about mood disorders in youths.