Bipolar patients’ ability to consent can be measured with MacCAT-CR

Some measures of the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research (MacCAT-CR) were associated with lower levels of ability to give consent in patients with bipolar disorder, according to Christina C. Klein and her associates.

A total of 50 patients who were enrolled in a clinical trial of approved, standard treatments for bipolar disease were included in the consent study. The MacCAT-CR was administered after patients had given consent to be included in the trial, but before the trial had started. Four patients lacked the ability to provide consent for the trial after receiving the MacCAT-CR. After these patients were reeducated and went through the consent process a second time, three were enrolled and one declined enrollment.

Patients with higher Schedule for Assessment of Positive Symptoms scores were more likely to have worse MacCAT-CR Understanding and Appreciation subscale scores; lower Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and higher Clinical Global Impression–Severity scores were associated with worse Reasoning and Understanding subscale scores.

Comorbid ADHD, sex, IQ scores, and age at onset of bipolar disorder were not correlated with any subscale scores. In addition, a history of substance use disorder was associated with higher Appreciation and Reasoning subscale scores.

“The current study provides important information for clinicians and researchers to consider when obtaining informed consent from an individual with bipolar disorder. The MacCAT-CR may serve to identify patients, specifically those with higher psychotic symptoms or global illness severity, as needing additional education regarding informed consent,” the investigators concluded.

Three study coauthors reported conflicts of interest with numerous pharmaceutical companies.

lfranki@mdedge.com

SOURCE: Klein CC et al. J Affect Disord. 2018 Aug 13. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.08.049.

Some measures of the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research (MacCAT-CR) were associated with lower levels of ability to give consent in patients with bipolar disorder, according to Christina C. Klein and her associates.

A total of 50 patients who were enrolled in a clinical trial of approved, standard treatments for bipolar disease were included in the consent study. The MacCAT-CR was administered after patients had given consent to be included in the trial, but before the trial had started. Four patients lacked the ability to provide consent for the trial after receiving the MacCAT-CR. After these patients were reeducated and went through the consent process a second time, three were enrolled and one declined enrollment.

Patients with higher Schedule for Assessment of Positive Symptoms scores were more likely to have worse MacCAT-CR Understanding and Appreciation subscale scores; lower Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and higher Clinical Global Impression–Severity scores were associated with worse Reasoning and Understanding subscale scores.

Comorbid ADHD, sex, IQ scores, and age at onset of bipolar disorder were not correlated with any subscale scores. In addition, a history of substance use disorder was associated with higher Appreciation and Reasoning subscale scores.

“The current study provides important information for clinicians and researchers to consider when obtaining informed consent from an individual with bipolar disorder. The MacCAT-CR may serve to identify patients, specifically those with higher psychotic symptoms or global illness severity, as needing additional education regarding informed consent,” the investigators concluded.

Three study coauthors reported conflicts of interest with numerous pharmaceutical companies.

lfranki@mdedge.com

SOURCE: Klein CC et al. J Affect Disord. 2018 Aug 13. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.08.049.

Some measures of the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research (MacCAT-CR) were associated with lower levels of ability to give consent in patients with bipolar disorder, according to Christina C. Klein and her associates.

A total of 50 patients who were enrolled in a clinical trial of approved, standard treatments for bipolar disease were included in the consent study. The MacCAT-CR was administered after patients had given consent to be included in the trial, but before the trial had started. Four patients lacked the ability to provide consent for the trial after receiving the MacCAT-CR. After these patients were reeducated and went through the consent process a second time, three were enrolled and one declined enrollment.

Patients with higher Schedule for Assessment of Positive Symptoms scores were more likely to have worse MacCAT-CR Understanding and Appreciation subscale scores; lower Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and higher Clinical Global Impression–Severity scores were associated with worse Reasoning and Understanding subscale scores.

Comorbid ADHD, sex, IQ scores, and age at onset of bipolar disorder were not correlated with any subscale scores. In addition, a history of substance use disorder was associated with higher Appreciation and Reasoning subscale scores.

“The current study provides important information for clinicians and researchers to consider when obtaining informed consent from an individual with bipolar disorder. The MacCAT-CR may serve to identify patients, specifically those with higher psychotic symptoms or global illness severity, as needing additional education regarding informed consent,” the investigators concluded.

Three study coauthors reported conflicts of interest with numerous pharmaceutical companies.

lfranki@mdedge.com

SOURCE: Klein CC et al. J Affect Disord. 2018 Aug 13. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.08.049.