Validity and reliability of the Spanish versions of the Bech-Rafaelsen's mania and melancholia scales for bipolar disorders

Objective: To assess classical psychometric properties of the Spanish versions of the Bech‐Rafaelsen’s mania (MAS) and melancholia (MES) scales. Method: Observational, prospective, and multicentric study in bipolar out‐patients. Convergent validity was assessed against the Young Mania Rating Scale and the Montgomery‐Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. Discriminant validity, reliability, and sensitivity to change, were also assessed. Results: One hundred and thirteen bipolar patients with a manic episode and 102 bipolar patients with a depressive episode were included. Both the MAS and the MES showed appropriate convergent validity (r > 0.90), discriminant validity (P 0.80), test–retest reliability [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.69 for the MAS and 0.94 for the MES], inter‐rater reliability (ICC > 0.80), and sensitivity to change at 4 weeks since inception (P