The health preoccupation diagnostic interview: inter-rater reliability of a structured interview for diagnostic assessment of DSM-5 somatic symptom disorder and illness anxiety disorder

Abstract

Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) and illness anxiety disorder (IAD) are two new diagnoses introduced in the DSM-5. There is a need for reliable instruments to facilitate the assessment of these disorders. We therefore developed a structured diagnostic interview, the Health Preoccupation Diagnostic Interview (HPDI), which we hypothesized would reliably differentiate between SSD, IAD, and no diagnosis. Persons with clinically significant health anxiety (n = 52) and healthy controls (n = 52) were interviewed using the HPDI. Diagnoses were then compared with those made by an independent assessor, who listened to audio recordings of the interviews. Ratings generally indicated moderate to almost perfect inter-rater agreement, as illustrated by an overall Cohen's κ of .85. Disagreements primarily concerned (a) the severity of somatic symptoms, (b) the differential diagnosis of panic disorder, and (c) SSD specifiers. We conclude that the HPDI can be used to reliably diagnose DSM-5 SSD and IAD.

The 12-item Self-Report World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 Administered Via the Internet to Individuals With Anxiety and Stress Disorders: A Psychometric Investigation Based on Data From Two Clinical Trials

“…Both DSM-5 somatic symptom disorder and illness anxiety disorder were assessed with the Health Preoccupation Diagnostic Interview, which exhibits excellent interrater reliability [ 12 ]. Both ICD-10 exhaustion disorder and DSM-5 adjustment disorder were assessed with a clinical interview developed specifically for the stress disorders trial that closely followed the diagnostic criteria of ICD-10 and DSM-5 .…”

Exposure-based cognitive–behavioural therapy via the internet and as bibliotherapy for somatic symptom disorder and illness anxiety disorder: randomised controlled trial

“…To assess whether diagnostic criteria for SSD or IAD were met we used a structured diagnostic interview, the Health Preoccupation Diagnostic Interview (HPDI). 10 The HPDI covers all DSM-5 criteria of SSD and IAD and can be administered with high interrater reliability. 10 To assess the presence of other psychiatric disorders we used the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).…”

“…10 The HPDI covers all DSM-5 criteria of SSD and IAD and can be administered with high interrater reliability. 10 To assess the presence of other psychiatric disorders we used the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). 11 As a frame of reference, the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule IV (ADIS) 12 was used to establish whether participants met criteria for DSM-IV hypochondriasis.…”

Identifying and measuring the severity of somatic symptom disorder using the Self-reported Somatic Symptom Scale-China (SSS-CN): a research protocol for a diagnostic study

“…Furthermore, the DSM-5 emphasises the evaluation of subjects who have excessive concerns about health issues. However, the DSM-5 is clinically difficult to follow because it requires qualified and experienced physicians to conduct an interview,7 which makes clinicians in general hospitals feel less confident when treating patients who are suspected to have SSD. In particular, individuals in China and other Asian countries tend to refuse psychological counselling 4 8; thus, many patients with psychological symptoms have been treated by non-psychiatric physicians in general medical hospitals.…”