Objective: This study evaluates the psychometric properties of the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (PDSQ) in alcohol-dependent Spanish population as a means of detecting psychiatric comorbidity. Methods: The PDSQ ) is a self-administered questionnaire with 125 items which can be applied in just 15 minutes, enabling rapid and effective screening of the psychiatric disorders (Axis I) most commonly found among substance abusers. After linguistic adaptation (translation/back-translation) and verification of its content validity, the PDSQ was administered to 156 alcohol-dependent patients (DSM-IV criteria; women = 36%), treated consecutively in an alcohol-disorders treatment setting. Its psychometric properties (reliability and validity) were determined, applying the DSM-IV criteria as a "gold standard", by means of SCID interview. Results: Using the original cut-off points, the PDSQ showed excellent internal reliability (α = 0.68-0.96) and diagnostic validity, with mean sensitivity = 99.6% (range: 96.6%-100%), specificity = 69.5% (range: 51.9%-94.6%) and NPV = 99.8% (range: 98.6%-100%). Diagnostic efficiency with the original cut-off points was 73.2%, rising to 91.6% using new cut-off points for certain scales, with a degree of agreement with DSM-IV criteria of κ = .303 -. 896. Conclusions: The PDSQ is a reliable and valid instrument for detecting psychiatric comorbidity in alcoholic individuals. Its psychometric properties and the added value of self-administration and short application time make it a recommended instrument for use in routine clinical settings.Key Words: Alcoholism, dual diagnosis, mental disorders, psychometric properties, questionnaires.
RESUMEN ABSTRACTObjetivos: Validar el Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (PDSQ) en población española dependiente al alcohol, determinando su utilidad práctica como instrumento de detección de comorbilidad psiquiátrica. Material y Método: El PDSQ (Zimmerman, 2001) es un cuestionario autoadministrado de 125 ítems que solo requiere 15 minutos para su aplicación, permitiendo un rápido y eficaz cribaje de los trastornos psiquiátricos (Eje I) más comunes entre los adictos a sustancias, así como de la dependencia al alcohol y a otras drogas. Previa adaptación lingüística (traducción/retrotraducción) y comprobada su validez de contenido, el PDSQ fue administrado a 156 sujetos alcoholdependientes (criterios DSM-IV; mujeres = 36%), atendidos consecutivamente en una Unidad de Alcohología. Se determinaron sus propiedades psicométricas (fiabilidad y validez), aplicándose criterios DSM-IV como patrón de referencia mediante entrevista SCID. Resultados: Utilizando los puntos de corte originales, el PDSQ registró una excelente consistencia interna (α = 0.68-0.96) y validez diagnóstica, con unos promedios de sensibilidad = 99.6% (rango: 96.6%-100%), especificidad = 69.5%% (rango: 51.9%-94.6%) y VPN = 99.8% (rango: 98.6%-100%). La eficiencia diagnóstica media con los puntos de corte originales fue del 73.2%, elevándose al 91.6% utilizando nuevos puntos d...