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Test-retest reliability of the computerized DSM-IV version of the Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview (M-CIDI)

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The structure and content of the Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview (M-CIDI) for the assessment of DSM-IV symptoms, syndromes, and diagnoses is described along with findings from a test-retest reliability study. A sample of 60 community respondents were interviewed twice independently by trained interviewers with an average time interval of 38 days between investigations. Test-retest reliability was good for almost all specific DSM-IV core symptom questions and disorders examined, with kappa values ranging from fair for two diagnoses – bulimia (kappa 0.55) and generalized anxiety disorder (kappa 0.45) – to excellent (kappa above 0.72) for all other anxiety disorders and alcohol use disorders. Test-retest reliability for age of onset and time-related questions was fairly consistently high (intra-class correlation values of 0.79 or above), with one notable exception: the assessment of disorders with onset before puberty. We concluded that the M-CIDI is acceptable for respondents, efficient in terms of time needed for and ease of administration, and reliable in terms of consistency of findings over time periods of at least 1 month.

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Accepted: 27 March 1998

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Wittchen, HU., Lachner, G., Wunderlich, U. et al. Test-retest reliability of the computerized DSM-IV version of the Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview (M-CIDI). Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 33, 568–578 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s001270050095

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s001270050095

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