Evaluation &the Health Professions, Ahead of Print.
Cognitive deficits play an important role in Bipolar Disorder (BPD). The Cognitive Problems and Strategies Assessment (CPSA) is a measure that evaluates the patient’s perception of cognitive difficulties, and the spontaneous use of compensatory strategies and could thus have potential utility for clinical practice in patients with BPD. Our aim was to determine the validity and reliability of the Cognitive Problems and Strategies Assessment (CPSA) in Bipolar Disorder (BPD). Ninety-three BPD outpatients and 90 controls completed the Assessment of Problems with Thinking and Memory (APTM) questionnaire and the Assessment of Memory and Thinking Strategies (AMTS) questionnaire which constitute the CPSA, the Cognitive Complaints in Bipolar Disorder Rating Assessment (COBRA), as a measure of convergent validity, and general sociodemographic data. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, Spearman’s correlation coefficient and independent sample t tests were used for Internal consistency, Convergent validity and Discriminant validity. The APTM had a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.93 and the AMTS 0.90. The COBRA score and the APTM were significantly correlated. BPD patients exhibited higher scores on the APTM and lower scores on the AMTS than controls. The present instrument enriches the clinician’s repertoire for rapid and inexpensive cognitive evaluation in BPD.