A factor analysis of signs and symptoms of the manic episode with Bech-Rafaelsen Mania and Melancholia Scales.

Background: Several factor analyses of signs and symptoms of mania have been reported using different rating scales. We propose here that the use of two instruments well known in the European literature may be useful in detecting the structure of manic episodes.

Method: We investigated the pattern of symptoms in a group of 124 bipolar inpatients hospitalised for a manic episode. We conducted a factor analysis of the broad range of psychiatric symptoms covered by the Bech-Rafaelsen Mania Scale (BRMaS) and Melancholia Scale (BRMeS).

Results: Five eigen values were greater than unity, which determined the number of factors computed. The five factors captured 66.7% of the total variance. Following rotation, five factors were clinically relevant.

Conclusion: This suggests that both euphoric activation and depression are prominent in this sample.