Is the Mood Disorder Questionnaire an appropriate screening tool in detecting bipolar spectrum disorder among substance use populations?

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.