Evaluation of treatment outcomes from an Australian juvenile bipolar disorder clinic

  • Mr Stephen Hirneth, The Bipolar Program, Hunter New England Area Health Service, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, Australia
  • Prof Philip Hazell, Concord Clinical School, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia, Australia
  • Dr Tanya Hanstock, Greater Southern Area Health Service, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia, Australia
  • Dr Edward Clayton, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Wagga Wagga, NSW Australia, Australia

    • Objectives: To report on preliminary outcomes from a treatment evaluation study for juvenile bipolar disorder (JBD) conducted by The Bipolar Program (TBP), a community mental health clinic in Newcastle, Australia specialising in assessing and treating JBD. The study will describe demographic, clinical, comorbid and functional characteristics of clients with JBD, and examine the influence of psychological and pharmacological treatments on outcome measures.

    Methods: Systematic assessment data were obtained at initial assessment and at follow-up review for clients diagnosed with JBD since TBP commenced in May 2005. Data collected include client demographics, semi-structured diagnostic interview (WASH-U-KSADS), standardised symptom rating scales, psychosocial functioning measures, medications, psychological treatment received and adherence to treatment.

    Results: Data collection for the follow-up phase is ongoing, and preliminary data will be presented for clients who have received baseline and follow-up assessments to-date. Analyses will examine changes in standardised outcome measures over time, and the relationship between treatments provided and clients’ outcomes.

    Conclusions: The data will permit provisional conclusions about factors influencing course of illness in a sample of clients with JBD. A better understanding of these factors may assist in refining assessment procedures and developing more effective treatment protocols for JBD for other mental health services. The current study is supported by a research grant from the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund – Mental Health Evaluation Grants Scheme.