Development and validation of the Client Diagnostic Questionnaire (CDQ): a mental health screening tool for use in HIV/AIDS service settings

Abstract

This study examines the validity, feasibility, and utility of the Client Diagnostic Questionnaire (CDQ), a brief diagnostic screening tool designed for use by non-mental health professionals and designed specifically to assess the range of psychiatric disorders known to be prevalent among persons infected with HIV or at high risk of infection: depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse. Non-clinically trained personnel administered the CDQ to a diverse sample of 260 HIV infected individuals at six primary care or social service agencies; a second interview was conducted by an experienced mental health clinician. There was good agreement between positive screen on the CDQ and diagnosis made by an independent mental health professional. For the diagnosis of any disorder, sensitivity = 91%, specificity = 78%, and overall accuracy = 85%. Clients who screened positive for disorder based on the CDQ interview had significantly impaired mental health functioning compared to individuals without CDQ screening diagnosis. CDQ was well received by both clients and agency staff. Findings support the feasibility and utility of the CDQ. The CDQ can be used by providers in a range of service settings to identify persons in need of formal mental health assessment and treatment, to more effectively target scarce mental health resources, and to reduce the negative impact of unrecognized disorder on the health and well-being of individuals in their care.

Housing Status and HIV Risk Behaviors: Implications for Prevention and Policy

“…Fifty-four percent of the homeless and 34% of the unstably housed had used hard drugs in the 6 months prior to interview, compared to 18% of clients who were in stable housing. Almost half of individuals who were homeless or unstably housed at baseline screened positive on a diagnostic mental health screening tool (49% and 46%, respectively) (Aidala et al, 2004), higher rates than seen among the stably housed (35%). At baseline, homeless and unstably housed clients had better physical health status as indicated by CD4 count, and they were somewhat more likely than others to have a case manager.…”

Anxiety Symptoms in HIV-Infected Individuals

“…The Clinical Diagnostic Questionnaire (CDQ), a brief, validated screening tool designed specifically for HIV-infected patients, can be useful in identifying mental health needs that may benefit from further, more formal assessment and/or treatment (Aidala et al, 2004). A clear advantage of the CDQ is that it follows Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.…”

“…; APA, 2000b), but omits some somatic complaints and eating problems to more effectively differentiate physical symptoms of the virus from those of mental health disorders. The CDQ consists of nine modules that screen for different disorders and can be administered and scored by non-mental health professionals in a wide range of service settings (Aidala et al, 2004). To screen specifically for anxiety disorders, the Panic, Post Traumatic Stress, and Other Anxiety Syndrome modules can be administered and scored in well under 10 minutes.…”

Screening and Assessing Violence and Mental Health Disorders in a Cohort of Inner City HIV-Positive Youth between 1998–2006

“…33 However, this study is not a comparison between the CDQ and the psychological interviews, but rather we used data obtained by both methods. Of note, within our sample, the CDQ demonstrated high internal consistency of 0.85 as measured by Cronbach a.…”