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Background: Maladaptive patterns of drinking are central to the development of AUD. However, no DSM-5 criteria ask about patterns of alcohol use, such as 5+/4+ binge drinking. It is important to examine whether such an item would improve the diagnostic utility of the DSM-5 instrument., Method: Using a large representative sample of the US population, we used item response theory (IRT) methodology to examine the threshold, discrimination, and information value and differential criterion functioning of DSM-5 AUD criteria, along with a 5+/4+ drinking pattern criterion assessed at various levels of frequency., Results: The best fit drinking pattern criterion (defined at 5+/4+ drinking at least once a week in the past year) tapped the milder end of that continuum, which was similar to the criterion of drinking in larger amounts or for longer than intended. The new DSM-5 craving criterion was associated with mid-level values of threshold and discrimination. The AUD criteria with the addition of the 5+/4+ drinking pattern criterion demonstrated invariance across important subgroups of the population., Conclusions: Among the criteria with the lowest level of threshold, the drinking pattern criterion has demonstrated its utility of the DSM-5 classification by identifying clinically significant but milder AUD cases. Along with its relationship to AUD relapse, the new craving criterion tapped the moderate levels of threshold and discrimination and thus, argues for its continued inclusion in the DSM-5 AUD formulation. Study results showed that DSM-5 AUD criteria and the 5+/4+ drinking pattern criterion formed a unidimensional continuum of AUD severity., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Little is known about the sociodemographic profiles, the intensity of drinking, the severity of alcohol use disorder (AUD), and psychopathology among individuals with specific patterns of concurrent alcohol and drug use and AUD and other drug use disorders (DUDs) comorbidity., Methods: Data were from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III. We examined sociodemographic correlates and psychopathology among individuals with specific patterns of concurrent use of alcohol and drug and AUD-DUD comorbidity relative to alcohol use or AUD only, respectively, using multinomial logistic regression. We also examined whether concurrent alcohol and drug use and AUD-DUD comorbidity increased the intensity of drinking and severity of AUD, respectively., Results: The majority (62.0%) of past-year drinkers used only alcohol. The 12-month prevalence of AUD only was 53.5%. Individuals with concurrent use of alcohol and drugs and AUD-DUD comorbidity were more likely to be men, younger, never/previously married, with lower education and income (odds ratios (ORs) ≥ 1.2). Concurrent use of alcohol and drugs and AUD- DUD comorbidity groups were more likely to experience psychopathology than the alcohol use only and AUD only groups, respectively (ORs ≥ 1.3). The intensity of drinking was greater among the concurrent use groups relative to the alcohol use only group, while the severity of AUD was greater among AUD-DUD comorbidity groups relative to the AUD only group., Conclusions: Research on consequences and treatment outcome of concurrent use of alcohol and drugs and AUD-DUD comorbidity is warranted to inform the development of more effective prevention/intervention programs., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Importance: No US national data are available on the prevalence and correlates of DSM-5-defined major depressive disorder (MDD) or on MDD specifiers as defined in DSM-5., Objective: To present current nationally representative findings on the prevalence, correlates, psychiatric comorbidity, functioning, and treatment of DSM-5 MDD and initial information on the prevalence, severity, and treatment of DSM-5 MDD severity, anxious/distressed specifier, and mixed-features specifier, as well as cases that would have been characterized as bereavement in DSM-IV., Design, Setting, and Participants: In-person interviews with a representative sample of US noninstitutionalized civilian adults (≥18 years) (n = 36 309) who participated in the 2012-2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions III (NESARC-III). Data were collected from April 2012 to June 2013 and were analyzed in 2016-2017., Main Outcomes and Measures: Prevalence of DSM-5 MDD and the DSM-5 specifiers. Odds ratios (ORs), adjusted ORs (aORs), and 95% CIs indicated associations with demographic characteristics and other psychiatric disorders., Results: Of the 36 309 adult participants in NESARC-III, 12-month and lifetime prevalences of MDD were 10.4% and 20.6%, respectively. Odds of 12-month MDD were significantly lower in men (OR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.46-0.55) and in African American (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.54-0.68), Asian/Pacific Islander (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.45-0.67), and Hispanic (OR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.62-0.78) adults than in white adults and were higher in younger adults (age range, 18-29 years; OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 2.48-3.55) and those with low incomes ($19 999 or less; OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.49-2.04). Associations of MDD with psychiatric disorders ranged from an aOR of 2.1 (95% CI, 1.84-2.35) for specific phobia to an aOR of 5.7 (95% CI, 4.98-6.50) for generalized anxiety disorder. Associations of MDD with substance use disorders ranged from an aOR of 1.8 (95% CI, 1.63-2.01) for alcohol to an aOR of 3.0 (95% CI, 2.57-3.55) for any drug. Most lifetime MDD cases were moderate (39.7%) or severe (49.5%). Almost 70% with lifetime MDD had some type of treatment. Functioning among those with severe MDD was approximately 1 SD below the national mean. Among 12.9% of those with lifetime MDD, all episodes occurred just after the death of someone close and lasted less than 2 months. The anxious/distressed specifier characterized 74.6% of MDD cases, and the mixed-features specifier characterized 15.5%. Controlling for severity, both specifiers were associated with early onset, poor course and functioning, and suicidality., Conclusions and Relevance: Among US adults, DSM-5 MDD is highly prevalent, comorbid, and disabling. While most cases received some treatment, a substantial minority did not. Much remains to be learned about the DSM-5 MDD specifiers in the general population.

Background: Emerging confirmatory factor analytic (CFA) studies suggest that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is best characterized by seven factors, including re-experiencing, avoidance, negative affect, anhedonia, externalizing behaviors, and anxious and dysphoric arousal. The seven factors, however, have been found to be highly correlated, suggesting that one general factor may exist to explain the overall correlations among symptoms., Methods: Using data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III, a large, national survey of 36,309 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, this study proposed and tested an exploratory bifactor hybrid model for DSM-5 PTSD symptoms. The model posited one general and seven specific latent factors, whose associations with suicide attempts and mediating psychiatric disorders were used to validate the PTSD dimensionality., Results: The exploratory bifactor hybrid model fitted the data extremely well, outperforming the 7-factor CFA hybrid model and other competing CFA models. The general factor was found to be the single dominant latent trait that explained most of the common variance (~76%) and showed significant, positive associations with suicide attempts and mediating psychiatric disorders, offering support to the concurrent validity of the PTSD construct., Conclusions: The identification of the primary latent trait of PTSD confirms PTSD as an independent psychiatric disorder and helps define PTSD severity in clinical practice and for etiologic research. The accurate specification of PTSD factor structure has implications for treatment efforts and the prevention of suicidal behaviors.

Objective: To present nationally representative information on the prevalence, correlates, psychiatric comorbidity, and treatment of DSM-5 nicotine use disorder (NUD) and the public health burden of US cigarette consumption among adults with NUD and other psychiatric disorders., Methods: Using data from the 2012-2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (N = 36,309), we conducted weighted cross-tabulations and multivariate logistic regression analyses to estimate prevalences and examine comorbidity of NUD., Results: Prevalences of 12-month and lifetime DSM-5 NUD were 20.0% and 27.9%, respectively. Nicotine use disorder was more frequent among men, non-Hispanic whites, younger individuals, the previously married, those with less education and lower incomes, and those residing in rural areas. Adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and additional psychiatric comorbidity, 12-month NUD and lifetime NUD were significantly associated with other substance use and antisocial personality disorders (odds ratios [ORs] = 1.5-5.1, 12-month; 1.5-5.6, lifetime). Twelve-month severe NUD was generally associated with major depressive, bipolar I, bipolar II, panic, generalized anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and schizotypal, borderline, and antisocial personality disorders (ORs = 1.3-2.5). Individuals with current NUD and at least 1 psychiatric disorder comprised 11.1% of US adults but smoked 53.6% of total cigarettes consumed. Treatment was utilized by 20.3% of respondents with 12-month and 18.8% with lifetime NUD., Conclusions: Findings underscore the need to address nicotine use in clinical settings. Recognition of psychiatrically vulnerable subpopulations may inform etiologic research, prevention, and treatment of NUD., (© Copyright 2016 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.)

Objectives: To present current, nationally representative US findings on the past-year and lifetime prevalences, sociodemographic correlates, psychiatric comorbidity, associated disability, and treatment of DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)., Methods: Face-to-face interviews with 36,309 adults in the 2012-2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III. PTSD, alcohol and drug use disorders, and selected mood, anxiety, and personality disorders were assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-5., Results: Past-year and lifetime prevalences were 4.7 and 6.1 %, higher for female, white, Native American, younger, and previously married respondents, those with

Objective: The authors present 12-month and lifetime prevalence, correlates, psychiatric comorbidity, and treatment of nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) and DSM-5 NMPOU disorder (NMPOUD)., Methods: Data were derived from the 2012-2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III) (N = 36,309)., Results: Prevalences of 12-month and lifetime NMPOU were 4.1% and 11.3%, exceeding rates in the 2001-2002 NESARC (1.8%, 4.7%). Twelve-month and lifetime rates of DSM-5 NMPOUD were 0.9% and 2.1%. NESARC-III DSM-IV NMPOUD rates (0.8%, 2.9%) were greater than those observed in the 2001-2002 NESARC (0.4% and 1.4%). Rates of NMPOU were greater among men, but no sex differential was observed for NMPOUD. Prevalences of NMPOU and NMPOUD were generally greater among 18- to 64-year-old individuals, whites, and Native Americans, and individuals with lower socioeconomic status. Associations were observed between 12-month and lifetime NMPOU and NMPOUD and other drug use disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, and borderline, schizotypal, and antisocial personality disorders; persistent depression and major depressive disorder (for NMPOU); and bipolar I disorder (for NMPOUD). Only 5.5% and 17.7% of individuals with 12-month NMPOU and NMPOUD were ever treated., Conclusions: NMPOU and NMPOUD have considerably increased over the past decade, are associated with a broad array of risk factors and comorbidities, and largely go untreated in the United States. More information on the determinants, characteristics, and outcomes of NMPOU and NMPOUD is needed to support evidence-based interventions and prevention., (© Copyright 2016 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.)

The DSM approach to personality disorder (PD) diagnoses has been criticized for using arbitrary thresholds. The present study evaluated one dimensional approach with ordered threshold categories of severity by examining associations with several measures of disability and Axis I disorders for 10 PDs in the general population. Data were obtained from the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions, Waves 1 and 2. Respondents were categorized according to PD criteria as follows: "no symptoms" for having no positive criteria, "subthreshold" for having at least one positive criterion but below the DSM-IV threshold, "at-threshold" for meeting the DSM-IV threshold and additionally having one or two more positive criteria, and "suprathreshold" for meeting the DSM-IV threshold plus three or more positive criteria. Findings from this national study provide support for dimensional approaches to diagnostic classifications for the majority of PDs and suggest that mild levels of severity indeed have clinical significance.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine prevalences and concordances between Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), and Fifth Edition (DSM-5) substance use disorders (SUDs) in a newly completed U.S. epidemiologic survey., Method: The National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III surveyed 36,309 civilian, noninstitutionalized adults. SUDs were assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-5. Concordances between DSM-IV and DSM-5 disorders were assessed using kappa statistics., Results: Prevalences of past-year substance-specific DSM-5 disorders (2+ criteria) were modestly higher than those of DSM-IV dependence and abuse combined for alcohol, sedatives/tranquilizers, opioids, and heroin, but lower for cannabis, cocaine, and stimulants. Lifetime prevalences were lower under DSM-5. Prevalences were similar between moderate to severe (4+ criteria) DSM-5 disorders and dependence, whereas prevalences of DSM-5 disorders at 3+ criteria (DSM-5 [3+]) were higher, particularly for cannabis. Past-year concordances were excellent for DSM-IV dependence and abuse combined versus any DSM-5 and DSM-IV dependence versus DSM-5 moderate to severe disorders; lifetime concordances were fair to excellent. Past-year concordances between DSM-IV and DSM-5 (3+) were generally similar to or modestly higher than those with any DSM-5 disorder; lifetime concordances were mostly lower., Conclusions: Findings are consistent with those informing the development of DSM-5. Future research should examine differences in patterns between past-year and lifetime disorders, particularly for cannabis. Other questions warranting investigation include whether different combinations of the same numbers of criteria carry different clinical or nosologic implications, whether changes innosology yield changes in treatment demand, and whether changes in characteristics of individuals with DSM-5 SUDs dictate modifications to screening and intervention.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the procedural validity of the substance disorder modules of the lay-administered Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) Version (AUDADIS-5) through clinician re-appraisal re-interviews., Methods: The study employed a test-retest design among 712 respondents from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III). A clinician-administered, semi-structured interview, the Psychiatric Research Interview for Substance and Mental Disorders, DSM-5 version (PRISM-5) was used as the re-appraisal. Kappa coeffients indicated concordance of the AUDADIS-5 and PRISM-5 for DSM-5 substance use disorder diagnoses, while intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) indicated concordance on dimensional scales indicating the DSM-5 criteria count for each disorder., Results: With few exceptions, concordance of the AUDADIS-5 and the PRISM-5 for DSM-5 diagnoses of substance use disorders ranged from fair to good (κ=0.40-0.72). Concordance on dimensional scales was excellent (ICC≥0.75) for the majority of DSM-5 SUD diagnoses, and fair to good (ICC=0.43-0.72) for most of the rest., Conclusions: As indicated by concordance with a semi-structured clinician-administered re-appraisal, the procedural validity of the AUDADIS-5 DSM-5 substance use disorder diagnoses found in this study indicates that these AUDADIS-5 diagnoses are useful tools in epidemiologic studies. The considerably stronger concordance of the AUDADIS-5 and PRISM-5 dimensional DSM-5 SUD measures supports a current movement to place more emphasis on dimensional measures of psychopathology, and suggests that such measures may be more informative than binary diagnoses for research, and possibly for clinical purposes as well., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the test-retest reliability of substance use disorder and psychiatric modules in the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) Version (AUDADIS-5)., Methods: Kappa and intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated for DSM-5 substance use and psychiatric disorder diagnoses and dimensional criteria scales using a test-retest design among 1006 respondents drawn from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III)., Results: Reliabilities of substance use disorder diagnoses and associated criteria scales were generally good to excellent, while reliabilities for mood, anxiety and trauma and stress-related disorders and associated scales were generally in the fair to good range., Conclusions: The observed reliability of the DSM-5 diagnoses and dimensional scales for the substance use and psychiatric disorders found in this study indicates that the AUDADIS-5 can be a useful tool in various research settings, particularly in studies of the general population, the target population for which it was designed., (Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.)

The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) eliminates the committing illegal acts criterion and reduces the threshold for a diagnosis of gambling disorder to 4 of 9 criteria. This study compared the DSM-5 "4 of 9" classification system to the "5 of 10" DSM-IV system, as well as other permutations (i.e., just lowing the threshold to 4 criteria or just eliminating the illegal acts criterion) in 43,093 respondents to the National Epidemiological Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions. Subgroups were analyzed to ascertain whether changes will impact differentially diagnoses based on gender, age, or race/ethnicity. In the full sample and each subpopulation, prevalence rates were higher when the DSM-5 classification system was employed relative to the DSM-IV system, but the hit rate between the two systems ranged from 99.80% to 99.96%. Across all gender, age, and racial/ethnic subgroups, specificity was greater than 99% when the DSM-5 system was employed relative to the DSM-IV system, and sensitivity was 100%. Results from this study suggest that eliminating the illegal acts criterion has little impact on diagnosis of gambling disorder, but lowering the threshold for diagnosis does increase the base rate in the general population and each subgroup, even though overall rates remain low and sensitivity and specificity are high.

The fifth revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is scheduled for publication in 2013. It will include several changes to the diagnosis of pathological gambling: the name of the disorder will be altered, the threshold for diagnosis will decrease, and one criterion will be removed. This paper reviews the rationale for these changes and addresses how they may impact diagnosis and treatment of the disorder, as well as potential for future research in the field.

Background: Ascertaining agreement between DSM-IV and DSM-5 is important to determine the applicability of treatments for DSM-IV conditions to persons diagnosed according to the proposed DSM-5., Methods: Data from a nationally representative sample of US adults were used to compare concordance of past-year DSM-IV opioid, cannabis, cocaine and alcohol dependence with past-year DSM-5 disorders at thresholds of 3+, 4+, 5+ and 6+ positive DSM-5 criteria among past-year users of opioids (n=264), cannabis (n=1622), cocaine (n=271) and alcohol (n=23,013). Substance-specific 2 × 2 tables yielded overall concordance (kappa), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV)., Results: For DSM-IV alcohol, cocaine and opioid dependence, optimal concordance occurred when 4+ DSM-5 criteria were endorsed, corresponding to the threshold for moderate DSM-5 alcohol, cocaine and opioid use disorders. Maximal concordance of DSM-IV cannabis dependence and DSM-5 cannabis use disorder occurred when 6+ criteria were endorsed, corresponding to the threshold for severe DSM-5 cannabis use disorder. At these optimal thresholds, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV generally exceeded 85% (>75% for cannabis)., Conclusions: Overall, excellent correspondence of DSM-IV dependence with DSM-5 substance use disorders was documented in this general population sample of alcohol, cannabis, cocaine and opioid users. Applicability of treatments tested for DSM-IV dependence is supported by these results for those with a DSM-5 alcohol, cocaine or opioid use disorder of at least moderate severity or severe cannabis use disorder. Further research is needed to provide evidence for applicability of treatments for persons with milder substance use disorders., (Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.)

Since DSM-IV was published in 1994, its approach to substance use disorders has come under scrutiny. Strengths were identified (notably, reliability and validity of dependence), but concerns have also arisen. The DSM-5 Substance-Related Disorders Work Group considered these issues and recommended revisions for DSM-5. General concerns included whether to retain the division into two main disorders (dependence and abuse), whether substance use disorder criteria should be added or removed, and whether an appropriate substance use disorder severity indicator could be identified. Specific issues included possible addition of withdrawal syndromes for several substances, alignment of nicotine criteria with those for other substances, addition of biomarkers, and inclusion of nonsubstance, behavioral addictions.This article presents the major issues and evidence considered by the work group, which included literature reviews and extensive new data analyses. The work group recommendations for DSM-5 revisions included combining abuse and dependence criteria into a single substance use disorder based on consistent findings from over 200,000 study participants, dropping legal problems and adding craving as criteria, adding cannabis and caffeine withdrawal syndromes, aligning tobacco use disorder criteria with other substance use disorders, and moving gambling disorders to the chapter formerly reserved for substance-related disorders. The proposed changes overcome many problems, while further studies will be needed to address issues for which less data were available.

Background: Existing information on consequences of the DSM-5 revision for the diagnosis of alcohol use disorders (AUD) has gaps, including missing information critical to understanding implications of the revision for clinical practice., Methods: Data from Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions were used to compare AUD severity, alcohol consumption and treatment, sociodemographic and health characteristics, and psychiatric comorbidity among individuals with DSM-IV abuse versus DSM-5 moderate AUD and DSM-IV dependence versus DSM-5 severe AUD. For each pair of disorders, we additionally compared 3 mutually exclusive groups: individuals positive solely for the DSM-IV disorder, those positive solely for the DSM-5 disorder, and those positive for both., Results: Whereas 80.5% of individuals positive for DSM-IV dependence were positive for DSM-5 severe AUD, only 58.0% of those positive for abuse were positive for moderate AUD. The profiles of individuals with DSM-IV dependence and DSM-5 severe AUD were almost identical. The only significant (p < 0.005) difference, more AUD criteria among the former, reflected the higher criterion threshold (≥ 4 vs. ≥ 3) for severe AUD relative to dependence. In contrast, the profiles of individuals with DSM-5 moderate AUD and DSM-IV abuse differed substantially. The former endorsed more AUD criteria, had higher rates of physiological dependence, were less likely to be White individuals and men, had lower incomes, were less likely to have private and more likely to have public health insurance, and had higher levels of comorbid anxiety disorders than the latter., Conclusions: Similarities between the profiles of DSM-IV and DSM-5 AUD far outweigh differences; however, clinicians may face some changes with respect to appropriate screening and referral for cases at the milder end of the AUD severity spectrum, and the mechanisms through which these will be reimbursed may shift slightly from the private to public sector., (Copyright © 2012 by the Research Society on Alcoholism.)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of DSM-IV symptom criteria for assessing personality disorders (PDs) in a national population and to compare variations in proposed symptom coding for social and/or occupational dysfunction. Data were obtained from a total sample of 34,653 respondents from Waves 1 and 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). For each personality disorder, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) established a 1-factor latent factor structure for the respective symptom criteria. A 2-parameter item response theory (IRT) model was applied to the symptom criteria for each PD to assess the probabilities of symptom item endorsements across different values of the underlying trait (latent factor). Findings were compared with a separate IRT model using an alternative coding of symptom criteria that requires distress/impairment to be related to each criterion. The CFAs yielded a good fit for a single underlying latent dimension for each PD. Findings from the IRT indicated that DSM-IV PD symptom criteria are clustered in the moderate to severe range of the underlying latent dimension for each PD and are peaked, indicating high measurement precision only within a narrow range of the underlying trait and lower measurement precision at lower and higher levels of severity. Compared with the NESARC symptom coding, the IRT results for the alternative symptom coding are shifted toward the more severe range of the latent trait but generally have lower measurement precision for each PD. The IRT findings provide support for a reliable assessment of each PD for both NESARC and alternative coding for distress/impairment. The use of symptom dysfunction for each criterion, however, raises a number of issues and implications for the DSM-5 revision currently proposed for Axis II disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2010).

Individual personality disorders (PD) are grouped into three clusters in the DSM-IV (A, B, and C). There is very little empirical evidence available concerning the validity of this model in the general population. The current study included all 10 of the DSM-IV PD assessed in Wave 1 and Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate three plausible models of the structure of Axis II personality disorders (the current hierarchical DSM-IV three-factor model in which individual PD are believed to load on their assigned clusters, which in turn load onto a single Axis II factor; a general single-factor model; and three independent factors). Each of these models was tested in both the total and also separately for gender. The higher order DSM-IV model demonstrated good fit to the data on a number of goodness-of-fit indices. The results for this model were very similar across genders. A model of PD based on the current DSM-IV hierarchical conceptualization of a higher order classification scheme received strong empirical support through confirmatory factor analysis using a number of goodness-of-fit indices in a nationally representative sample. Other models involving broad, higher order personality domains such as neuroticism in relation to personality disorders have yet to be tested in epidemiologic surveys and represent an important avenue for future research.

Objective: Under the proposed DSM-5 revision to the criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD), a substantial proportion of DSM-IV AUD cases will be lost or shifted in terms of severity, with some new cases added. Accordingly, the performance of the AUDIT-C in screening for DSM-IV AUD cannot be assumed to extend to DSM-5 AUD. The objective of this paper is to compare the AUDIT-C in screening for DSM-IV and DSM-5 AUD., Methods: Using a broad range of performance metrics, the AUDIT-C was tested and contrasted as a screener for DSM-IV AUD (any AUD, abuse and dependence) and DSM-5 AUD (any AUD, moderate AUD and severe AUD) in a representative sample of U.S. adults aged 21 and older and among past-year drinkers., Results: Optimal AUDIT-C cutpoints were identical for DSM-IV and DSM-5 AUD: ≥4 for any AUD, ≥3 or ≥4 for abuse/moderate AUD and ≥4 or ≥5 for dependence/severe AUD. Screening performance was slightly better for DSM-5 severe AUD than DSM-IV dependence but did not differ for other diagnoses. At optimal screening cutpoints, positive predictive values were slightly higher for DSM-5 overall AUD and moderate AUD than for their DSM-IV counterparts. Sensitivities were slightly higher for DSM-5 severe AUD than DSM-IV dependence. Optimal screening cutpoints shifted upwards for past-year drinkers but continued to be identical for DSM-IV and DSM-5 disorders., Conclusions: Clinicians should not face any major overhaul of their current screening procedures as a result of the DSM-5 revision and should benefit from fewer false positive screening results., (Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.)

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the association of "diagnostic orphans" at baseline and subsequent development of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) alcohol use disorders (AUDs) 5 years later., Method: A sample of 8,534 respondents was drawn from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth for the years 1989 and 1994. Diagnostic orphans were defined as respondents who met one or two alcohol dependence symptom criteria but did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence. Using multinomial logistic regression analysis, 1994 assessments of DSM-IV AUD were regressed on 1989 baseline assessments of diagnostic orphan status and DSM-IV AUD. In addition to demographic characteristics, other background variables included heavy episodic drinking at baseline and early problem behaviors (antisocial behaviors, illicit substance use, and age at onset of alcohol use)., Results: Findings from this 5-year prospective study indicate that diagnostic orphan status at baseline was predictive of DSM-IV AUD at follow-up. These associations remained significant when other early behavioral problems were included in the models., Conclusions: The present findings have important diagnostic implications for the proposed DSM-V, particularly for a dimensional diagnosis incorporating less severe forms of alcohol dependence.

Background: Recent research suggests that adding a quantity/frequency alcohol consumption measure to diagnoses of alcohol use disorders may improve construct validity of the diagnoses for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental and Behavior Disorders (DSM-V). This study explores the epidemiological impact of including weekly at-risk drinking (WAD) in the DMS-IV diagnostic definition of alcohol dependence via 3 hypothetical reformulations of the current criteria., Methods: The sample was the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, a nationally representative sample with 43,093 adults aged >18 in the U.S interviewed with the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule IV. The current (DSM-IV) definition of alcohol dependence was compared with 4 hypothetical alcohol dependence reformulations that included WAD: (1) WAD added as an eighth criteria; (2) WAD required for a diagnosis; (3) adding abuse and dependence criteria together, and including WAD with a 3 of 12 symptom threshold; (4) adding abuse and dependence criteria together, and including WAD with a 5 of 12 symptom threshold., Results: The inclusion of at-risk drinking as an eighth criterion of alcohol dependence has a minimal impact on the sociodemographic correlates of alcohol dependence but substantially increases the prevalence of dependence (from 3.8% to 5.0%). At-risk drinking as a required criterion or as part of a diagnosis that combines abuse with dependence criteria with a higher threshold (5+ criteria) decreases prevalence and has a larger impact on sociodemographic correlates. Blacks, Hispanics, and women are less likely to be included in diagnostic reformulations that include WAD, whereas individuals with low-income and education are more likely to remain diagnosed., Conclusions: Including WAD as either a requirement of diagnosis or as an additional criterion would have a large impact on the prevalence of alcohol dependence in the general population. The inclusion of a quantity/frequency requirement may eliminate false positives from studies of alcohol disorder etiology and improve phenotype definition for genetic association studies by reducing heterogeneity in the diagnosis, but may also reduce eligibility for treatment services among women and racial/ethnic minorities compared.

Background: Existing studies of the association between age at first drink (AFD) and the risk of alcohol use disorders (AUD) suffer from inconsistent levels of control and designs that may inflate associations by failure to control for duration of exposure to risk., Methods: This study examined associations between AFD (ages <15 and 15-17 vs. 18+ years) and first incidence of DSM-IV alcohol dependence, abuse, and specific AUD criteria over a 3-year follow-up in a longitudinal study of U.S. drinkers 18 years of age and older at baseline (n = 22,316), controlling for duration of exposure, family history, and a wide range of baseline and childhood risk factors., Results: After adjusting for all risk factors, the incidence of dependence was increased for AFD <15 years (OR = 1.38) and for women only with AFD at ages 15 to 17 (OR = 1.54). The incidence of abuse was increased at AFD <15 and 15 to 17 years (OR = 1.52 and 1.30, respectively). Most dependence criteria showed significant associations with AFD, but hazardous drinking and continued drinking despite interpersonal problems were the only abuse criteria to do so. All associations were nonsignificant after controlling for volume of consumption, except that AFD at all ages <18 combined was associated with a reduced likelihood of impaired control, and AFD at ages 15 to 17 was associated with lower odds of drinking more/longer than intended among heavy-volume drinkers. In a population of low-risk drinkers that excluded those with positive family histories, personality disorders, and childhood risk factors, there were strong associations between early AFD (<18) and the incidence of dependence (OR = 3.79) and continued drinking despite physical/psychological problems (OR = 2.71), but no association with incidence of abuse., Conclusions: There is a robust association between AFD and the risk of AUD that appears to reflect willful rather than uncontrolled heavy drinking, consistent with misuse governed by poor decision-making and/or reward-processing skills associated with impaired executive cognitive function (ECF). Additional research is needed to determine causality in the role of impaired ECF, including longitudinal studies with samples of low-risk adolescents.

Objectives: To present nationally representative findings on prevalence, sociodemographic correlates, disability, and comorbidity of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) among men and women., Method: Face-to-face interviews with 34,653 adults participating in the Wave 2 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions conducted between 2004 and 2005 in the United States., Results: Prevalence of lifetime NPD was 6.2%, with rates greater for men (7.7%) than for women (4.8%). NPD was significantly more prevalent among black men and women and Hispanic women, younger adults, and separated/divorced/widowed and never married adults. NPD was associated with mental disability among men but not women. High co-occurrence rates of substance use, mood, and anxiety disorders and other personality disorders were observed. With additional comorbidity controlled for, associations with bipolar I disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and schizotypal and borderline personality disorders remained significant, but weakened, among men and women. Similar associations were observed between NPD and specific phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar II disorder among women and between NPD and alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, drug dependence, and histrionic and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders among men. Dysthymic disorder was significantly and negatively associated with NPD., Conclusions: NPD is a prevalent personality disorder in the general U.S. population and is associated with considerable disability among men, whose rates exceed those of women. NPD may not be as stable as previously recognized or described in the DSM-IV. The results highlight the need for further research from numerous perspectives to identify the unique and common genetic and environmental factors underlying the disorder-specific associations with NPD observed in this study.

Objectives: To present nationally representative findings on prevalence, sociodemographic correlates, disability, and comorbidity of borderline personality disorder (BPD) among men and women., Method: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 34,653 adults participating in the 2004-2005 Wave 2 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Personality disorder diagnoses were made using the Wave 2 Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-DSM-IV Version., Results: Prevalence of lifetime BPD was 5.9% (99% CI = 5.4 to 6.4). There were no differences in the rates of BPD among men (5.6%, 99% CI = 5.0 to 6.2) and women (6.2%, 99% CI = 5.6 to 6.9). BPD was more prevalent among Native American men, younger and separated/divorced/widowed adults, and those with lower incomes and education and was less prevalent among Hispanic men and women and Asian women. BPD was associated with substantial mental and physical disability, especially among women. High co-occurrence rates of mood and anxiety disorders with BPD were similar. With additional comorbidity controlled for, associations with bipolar disorder and schizotypal and narcissistic personality disorders remained strong and significant (odds ratios > or = 4.3). Associations of BPD with other specific disorders were no longer significant or were considerably weakened., Conclusions: BPD is much more prevalent in the general population than previously recognized, is equally prevalent among men and women, and is associated with considerable mental and physical disability, especially among women. Unique and common factors may differentially contribute to disorder-specific comorbidity with BPD, and some of these associations appear to be sex-specific. There is a need for future epidemiologic, clinical, and genetically informed studies to identify unique and common factors that underlie disorder-specific comorbidity with BPD. Important sex differences observed in rates of BPD and associations with BPD can inform more focused, hypothesis-driven investigations of these factors.

Background: There is little information on the stability of abstinent and nonabstinent remission from alcohol dependence in the general U.S. population. The aim of this study was to examine longitudinal changes in recovery status among individuals in remission from DSM-IV alcohol dependence, including rates and correlates of relapse, over a 3-year period., Methods: This analysis is based on data from Waves 1 and 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults aged 18 years and older originally interviewed in 2001 to 2002 and reinterviewed in 2004 to 2005. The Wave 1 NESARC identified 2,109 individuals who met the DSM-IV criteria for full remission from alcohol dependence. Of these, 1,772 were reinterviewed at Wave 2, comprising the analytic sample for this study. Recovery status at Wave 2 was examined as a function of type of remission at Wave 1, with a focus on rates of relapse, alternately defined as recurrence of any alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms and recurrence of DSM-IV alcohol dependence. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of relapse among asymptomatic risk drinkers and low-risk drinkers relative to abstainers, adjusted for a wide range of potential confounders., Results: By Wave 2, 51.0% of the Wave 1 asymptomatic risk drinkers had experienced the recurrence of AUD symptoms, compared with 27.2% of low-risk drinkers and 7.3% of abstainers. Across all ages combined, the adjusted odds of recurrence of AUD symptoms relative to abstainers were 14.6 times as great for asymptomatic risk drinkers and 5.8 times as great for low-risk drinkers. The proportions of individuals who had experienced the recurrence of dependence were 10.2, 4.0, and 2.9%, respectively, and the adjusted odds ratios relative to abstainers were 7.0 for asymptomatic risk drinkers and 3.0 for low-risk drinkers. Age significantly modified the association between type of remission and relapse. Differences by type of remission were not significant for younger alcoholics, who had the highest rates of relapse., Conclusions: Abstinence represents the most stable form of remission for most recovering alcoholics. Study findings highlight the need for better approaches to maintaining recovery among young adults in remission from alcohol dependence, who are at particularly high risk of relapse.

Objective: Little is known about the fundamental structure of core personality disorder psychopathology in the general population. The current study employed confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate competing models of patterns of personality disorder diagnoses in a nationally representative sample., Method: DSM-IV and alternate models of the structure of personality disorder psychopathology were evaluated using data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions conducted between 2001 and 2002 (N = 43,093). Dimensional versus categorical representations of DSM-IV personality disorder structure were also tested. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in the United States. Participants were community-based respondents aged 18 years and older. Diagnoses and dimensional scores were made for antisocial, avoidant, dependent, histrionic, obsessive-compulsive, paranoid, and schizoid personality disorders., Results: Multiple goodness-of-fit indicators provided support for a DSM-IV-based hierarchical model of personality disorders. In this model, the individual personality disorders were viewed as belonging to 1 of 3 latent factors or clusters (A, B, or C). In all of the models, the individual personality disorders were allowed to be an indicator for only a single latent cluster, and errors were not allowed to correlate with each other. In turn, these 3 clusters were viewed as comprising a single higher-order "Axis II personality disorder factor." The DSM-IV model was largely invariant across gender, Axis I comorbidity, and treatment-seeking status. A dimensionally based form of assessment of the DSM-IV personality disorders produced excellent goodness-of-fit indicators and produced low Akaike information criterion values (which are indicative of better-fitting models)., Conclusions: The results from this confirmatory factor analysis in a large, nationally representative mental health survey supported the DSM-IV hierarchical organization of Axis II personality disorders. This model was significantly superior to viable alternative models of Axis II personality psychopathology. There was also evidence to suggest this model could obtain even stronger support if a dimensionally based form of diagnostic assessment was adopted in place of the dichotomous form of assessment (presence/absence) of personality disorders currently in use in the DSM-IV.

Background: Antisocial behavioral syndromes, including antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), syndromal adult antisocial behavior (AABS) without conduct disorder (CD) before age 15, and CD without progression to ASPD ("CD only") are highly comorbid with drug use disorders (DUDs). Among patients in DUD treatment, antisocial syndromes are associated with greater severity and poorer outcomes. Comparative data concerning associations of antisocial syndromes with clinical characteristics of DUDs among general population adults have not previously been available. This study describes associations of antisocial syndromes with clinical characteristics of lifetime Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-Version IV DUDs in the general U.S. adult population., Methods: This report is based on the 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (n=43,093, response rate=81%). Respondents (n=4068) with lifetime DUDs were classified according to whether they met criteria for ASPD, AABS, "CD only," or no antisocial syndrome. Associations of antisocial syndromes with clinical characteristics of DUDs were examined using logistic regression., Results: Antisocial syndromes were significantly associated with the phenomenology of DUDs, particularly ASPD with the most severe clinical presentations. Associations with AABS were similar to those with ASPD; those with "CD only" were weak, inconsistent, and not statistically significant. Patterns of associations differed little between men and women., Conclusions: Both ASPD and AABS, but not "CD only," appear to identify greater clinical severity of DUDs among adults in the general U.S. population.

Background: There is a lack of current detailed national data on the prevalence, correlates, disability and co-morbidity of DSM-IV specific phobia (SP), the prevalence of specific objects and situations feared, and associations between impairment, treatment and co-morbidity and the number of specific situations and objects feared, among adults in the USA., Method: The data were derived from a large (43093) representative sample of the adult population in the USA., Results: Prevalences of 12-month and lifetime DSM-IV SP were 7.1% and 9.4% respectively. Being female, young, and low income increased risk, while being Asian or Hispanic decreased risk (p<0.05). The mean age at onset of SP was 9.7 years, the mean duration of episode was 20.1 years and only 8.0% reported treatment specifically for SP. Most specific phobias involved multiple fears, and an increasing number of fears, regardless of content, was associated with greater disability and impairment, treatment seeking and co-morbidity with other Axis I and II disorders., Conclusions: SP is a highly prevalent, disabling and co-morbid disorder in the US adult population. The early onset of SP and the disorders most strongly associated with it highlights the need for longitudinal studies beginning in early childhood. Results suggest the existence of a generalized subtype of SP much like social phobia, which, once revealed, may lead to a classification of SP that is more etiologically and therapeutically meaningful.

Background: Item response theory (IRT) was used to determine whether DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence and consumption criteria were arrayed along a continuum of severity., Methods: Data came from a large, nationally representative sample of the U.S. adult population., Results: DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence criteria formed a continuum of alcohol use disorder severity along with the drinking 5+/4+ at least once a week in the past year criterion. Criteria were invariant across sex, race-ethnicity, and age subgroups., Conclusion: The drinking 5+/4+ high-risk drinking pattern was identified as a suitable criterion for future classifications of DSM-IV alcohol use disorder. Some dependence criteria were among the least severe criteria, and some abuse criteria were among the most severe, findings that question the validity of DSM-IV abuse and dependence categories as distinct entities and that do not support the assumption of abuse as prodromal to dependence. Physical dependence and addiction were identified as defining elements of the continuum. Further research examining their dimensional properties and relationships to high-risk drinking patterns appears warranted. An approach highlighting a more important role of consumption in future classifications of alcohol use disorder defined broadly to encompass all alcohol-related harm, including addiction and physical dependence, is discussed.

Background: Etiologic research on complex disorders including alcohol dependence requires informative phenotypes. Information is lost when categorical variables represent inherently dimensional conditions. We investigated the validity of DSM-IV alcohol dependence as a dimensional phenotype by examining evidence for linearity and thresholds in associations with validating variables., Method: Current drinkers in the National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (NLAES) (n=18352) and National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) (n=20836) were analyzed. Validating variables included family alcoholism, early-onset drinking, and alcohol treatment. Logistic or Poisson regression modeled the relationships between the validating variables and dependence in categorical, dimensional or hybrid forms, with severity defined as number of current DSM-IV alcohol-dependence criteria. Wald tests assessed differences between models., Results: No evidence was found for boundaries between categories. Instead, the association of alcohol dependence with the validating variables generally increased in linear fashion as the number of alcohol-dependence criteria increased. For NLAES models of family alcoholism, early-onset drinking and treatment, the lines had zero intercepts, with slopes of 0.18, 0.27, 0.70, respectively. For NESARC models of family history and early-onset drinking, the zero intercept lines had slopes of 0.20, 0.33, and 0.77, respectively. Wald tests indicated that models representing alcohol dependence as a dimensional linear predictor best described the association between dependence criteria and the validating variables., Conclusions: The sample sizes allowed strong tests. Diagnoses are necessary for clinical decision-making, but a dimensional alcohol-dependence indicator should provide more information for research purposes.

Aims: Over the past two decades, many nosological issues have been addressed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD) substance use disorders workgroups. Even with those efforts, there are key issues that have not been resolved and must be revisited, or addressed de novo, by the workgroups. These lingering points are broad, due to the array of substances classified under the diagnostic umbrella of substance use disorders. They include substantive issues ranging from dimensional approaches, similar criteria for each substance, cut-points and thresholds, distinct abuse and dependence classifications, new criteria and drugs, to less substantive ones, such as the adjectives used to describe the severity of the behaviors., Results: This paper describes the characteristics of the data sets that will be needed to resolve the key nosological issues. Ten points are described: (1) data must be true to nomenclature under study; (2) flexible regarding rearrangements of scoring algorithms; (3-4) able to assess substances individually and retain former versions of the criteria; (5) not rely on shortened versions; (6) utilize samples that are generalizable; (7) make diagnoses with transparent algorithms; (8) combine mixed methods for corroborating data; (9) utilize assessments that collect reliable and valid diagnoses and criteria; and (10) stretch the limits by allowing for new discoveries., Conclusions: This paper describes each of these and gives examples of the limitations and strengths of data for the purpose of defining a useful, unified concept of addictive behaviors.

Background: This study addressed the prevalences, correlates, co-morbidity and disability of DSM-IV generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and other psychiatric disorders in a large national survey of the general population, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's (NIAAA) National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). The study presents nationally representative data, for the first time, on prevalence, correlates, co-morbidity, and comparative disability of DSM-IV GAD., Method: Data are taken from a large (n=43093) representative sample of the adult USA population.R: Prevalences of 12-month and lifetime GAD were 2.1% and 4.1%. Being female, middle-aged, widowed/separated/divorced, and low income increased risk, while being Asian, Hispanic, or Black decreased risk. GAD was highly co-morbid with substance use, and other anxiety, mood, and personality disorders. Co-morbidity in GAD was not substantially greater than for most other Axis I and II disorders. Disability and impairment in pure GAD were equivalent to pure mood disorders, but significantly greater than in pure substance use, and other anxiety and personality disorders. Individuals co-morbid for GAD and each mood disorder were more disabled than those with pure forms of GAD or each mood disorder. When co-morbid with GAD, nicotine dependence and other anxiety and personality disorders were not associated with increased disability over that associated with pure GAD, but GAD did show increased disability over that due to each of these disorders in pure form.Conclusions. Associations between GAD and Axis I and II disorders were strong and significant, with variation among specific disorders. Results strongly support GAD as an independent disorder with significant impairment and disability.

Background: To date, there have been no published data on 12-month comorbidity of DSM-IV alcohol and drug use disorders in the general U.S. population. The purposes of the present study were to examine the prevalence and comorbidity of alcohol and specific drug use disorders, and to identify sociodemographic and psychopathologic correlates and treatment seeking among three groups of respondents: (1) those with alcohol use disorders only; (2) those with drug use disorders only; (3) those with comorbid alcohol and drug use disorders., Methods: Information on 12-month alcohol and specific drug use disorders in the United States was derived from face-to-face interviews in the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's (NIAAA) 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC: n = 43,093)., Results: Prevalences were 7.35% for alcohol use disorders only, 0.90% for drug use disorder only and 1.10% for comorbid alcohol and drug use disorders. Sociodemographic and psychopathologic correlates of these three groups were quite different, with the drug use disorder and comorbid groups significantly more likely to be young, male, never married and of lower socioeconomic status than the alcohol use disorder only group. Associations between current alcohol use disorders and 25 specific drug use disorders were generally positive and statistically significant. The 12-month prevalence of treatment seeking significantly increased from 6.06% for those with an alcohol use disorder only to 15.63% for those with a drug use disorder only, and to 21.76% for those with comorbid alcohol and drug use disorders., Conclusions: This study provides detailed data on the homotypic comorbidity of alcohol use disorders and 25 different drug use disorders and confirms the high levels of association seen in previous studies based on lifetime measures. Implications of this study are discussed in terms of integrating alcohol and drug treatment services and refining prevention and intervention efforts.

The extent to which dependence occurs with or without abuse is important because of the potential for underestimation and biased estimates of drug dependence in surveys that rely on abuse as a screening method for dependence. The purpose of this paper was to present the prevalence of DSM-IV drug dependence with and without drug abuse in a nationally representative sample, as well as in subgroups defined by sex, age and race/ethnicity. Among all respondents with current drug dependence, 22.0% did not additionally meet criteria for abuse (19.5% among males and 27.8% among females). Current drug dependence without abuse was especially common among females age 45-64 (52.6% of all cases). Among those with lifetime diagnoses of drug dependence, a small proportion overall, 5.0% had no symptoms of abuse, with the highest proportion again found among females aged 45-64 (19.5% of all cases). The use of drug abuse as a screening method for drug dependence in large epidemiologic studies will differentially underestimate the prevalence of dependence by subgroup, affecting many types of research. Dependence with and without abuse may represent heterogeneous phenotypes for genetic and gene-environment research, which should be explored.

The objective of this study was to determine the co-occurrence of 7 of the 10 Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision ( DSM-IV-TR ) personality disorders (PDs) in the US population. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 43 093 respondents in the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, a nationally representative survey of the US population. Odds ratios were calculated to determine associations among PDs. All associations among PDs were positive and statistically significant. PDs were significantly associated with other PDs within the same cluster, in addition to being highly associated with PDs of other DSM-IV PD clusters. Co-occurrence between DSM-IV PDs is pervasive in the US general population. Future research is needed on the creation of dimensional representations of DSM-IV PDs as an adjunct to categorical diagnoses.

Background: There exist no national prevalence data on specific DSM-IV Axis I psychiatric disorders among foreign-born and US-born Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites., Objective: To present nationally representative data on the prevalence of DSM-IV lifetime psychiatric disorders among foreign-born and US-born Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites., Design: Face-to-face survey conducted in the 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions., Setting: The United States and District of Columbia, including Alaska and Hawaii., Participants: Household and group-quarters residents, aged 18 years and older (n = 43 093)., Main Outcome Measures: Prevalence of DSM-IV substance use disorders and mood and anxiety disorders., Results: With few exceptions, foreign-born Mexican Americans and foreign-born non-Hispanic whites were at significantly lower risk (P<.05) of DSM-IV substance use and mood and anxiety disorders compared with their US-born counterparts. Although the risk of specific psychiatric disorders was similar between foreign-born Mexican Americans and foreign-born non-Hispanic whites, US-born Mexican Americans were at significantly lower risk (P<.05) of psychiatric morbidity than US-born non-Hispanic whites., Conclusions: Data favoring foreign-born Mexican Americans with respect to mental health may extend to foreign-born non-Hispanic whites. Future research among foreign-born and US-born Mexican Americans and the foreign-born and US-born of other origins and descents is needed to understand what appears to be the protective effects of culture and the deleterious effects of acculturation on psychiatric morbidity in the United States.

Background: Alcohol abuse and dependence can be disabling disorders, but accurate information is lacking on the prevalence of current DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence and how this has changed over the past decade. The purpose of this study was to present nationally representative data on the prevalence of 12-month DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence in 2001-2002 and, for the first time, to examine trends in alcohol abuse and dependence between 1991-1992 and 2001-2002., Methods: Prevalences and trends of alcohol abuse and dependence in the United States were derived from face-to-face interviews in the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's (NIAAA) 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC: n = 43, 093 ) and NIAAA's 1991-1992 National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (NLAES: n= 42, 862 )., Results: Prevalences of DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence in 2001-2002 were 4.65 and 3.81%. Abuse and dependence were more common among males and among younger respondents. The prevalence of abuse was greater among Whites than among Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics. The prevalence of dependence was higher in Whites, Native Americans, and Hispanics than Asians. Between 1991-1992 and 2001-2002, abuse increased while dependence declined. Increases in alcohol abuse were observed among males, females, and young Black and Hispanic minorities, while the rates of dependence rose among males, young Black females and Asian males., Conclusions: This study underscores the need to continue monitoring prevalence and trends and to design culturally sensitive prevention and intervention programs.

This article presents the proceedings of a symposium at the 2002 RSA Meeting in San Francisco, California. Deborah S. Hasin organized the symposium and co-chaired it with Marc Schuckit. The purpose of the symposium was to provide an overview of what is known about the validity of DSM-IV and ICD-10 alcohol dependence and abuse, with a focus on work done since 1994. Presentations included: (1) Validity of DSM-III-R alcohol dependence in adolescents, by Christopher S. Martin; (2) Reliability and validity of DSM and ICD formulations of alcohol use disorders: findings from epidemiology, by Bridget F. Grant; (3) Validity and reliability of the alcohol-dependence phenotype in the context of genetic studies, by Kathleen K. Bucholz; and (4) DSM-IV and beyond: uniting the clinical utility of categories with the precision of dimensions, by John E. Helzer. The findings supported the validity of DSM-IV alcohol dependence across numerous study designs and samples, suggested some value in a dimensional dependence measure, and raised questions about the validity of the diagnosis of alcohol abuse as currently defined. Marc Schuckit, as discussant for the symposium, placed the issues in perspective for the upcoming DSM-V.