Background: Bipolar spectrum disorder (BSD) has been shown to be difficult to assess in general and is further complicated by the presence of substance use disorder (SUD).
Objective: To review the specificity of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) in detecting BSD among substance abusers.
Method: A retrospective chart review was conducted using 183 SUD patients who were screened using the MDQ and later assessed by a psychiatrist specializing in BSD.
Results: Among SUD patients scoring positive results on the MDQ for the presence of BSD, the BSD diagnosis could only be confirmed in 23% of the sample by an expert psychiatrist.
Conclusions: The MDQ reports low specificity in detecting BSD among SUD populations.
Scientific significance: Physicians should question individuals on substance use behaviors if BSD is suspected due to high rates of comorbidity and diagnostic challenges.
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