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In this study, validity aspects of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) self-report and parent-report versions were assessed among Dutch adolescents aged 12 to 17 years (community sample: n = 962, clinical sample: n = 4,053). The findings mostly support the continued use of both SDQ versions in screening for psychosocial problems as (a) exploratory structural equation analyses partially supported the grouping of items into five scales; (b) investigation of associations between scales of the SDQ and the Child Behavior Checklist, Youth Self-Report, and Intelligence Development Scales-2 provided evidence for the SDQ versions' convergent and divergent validity; and (c) receiver operating characteristics curves yielded evidence for both SDQ versions' criterion validity by showing that these questionnaires can be used to screen for psychosocial problems, except for the adolescent-reported version for males. Regardless of the adolescent's gender, the receiver operating characteristics curves showed both SDQ versions to be useful for screening for three specific types of problems: anxiety/mood disorder, conduct/oppositional deviant disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Additionally, parent-rated SDQ scores were found to be useful for screening for autism spectrum disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the stability and relative validity (RV) of the Neuromuscular Disease Impact Profile (NMDIP) using criterion-related groups. In a previous study the NMDIP-scales showed good internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity. Known-groups analysis showed that the NMDIP discriminates between categories of extent of limitations.Methods: A cross-sectional postal survey study was performed on patients diagnosed with a NMD and registered at the Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. Participants were asked to complete the preliminary NMDIP, the Medical Outcome study Short Form Questionnaire (SF-36), the World Health Organization Quality Of Life-abbreviation version (WHOQOL-bref), and two generic domain specific measures: the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (GARS) and the Impact on Participation and Autonomy Questionnaire (IPAQ). The variables 'Extent of Limitations' and 'Quality of Life' were used to create criterion-related groups. Stability over time was tested using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test for paired samples and the intraclass correlation coefficients for repeated measures. RV was examined by comparing the ability of NMDIP with generic multidimensional health impact measures, and domain specific measures in discriminating between criterion-related subgroups using the Kruskal-Wallis H-test.Results: Response rate was 70% (n = 702). The NMDIP-scales showed sufficient stability over time, and satisfactory or strong RV. In general, the NMDIP scales performed as well as or better than the concurrent measurement instruments.Conclusions: The NMDIP proved to be a valid and reliable disease-targeted measure with a broad scope on physical, psychological and social functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Questionnaires may help in detecting and diagnosing anxiety disorders in primary care. However, since utility of these questionnaires in target populations is rarely studied, the Patient Health Questionnaire anxiety modules (PHQ) were evaluated for use as: a) a screener in high-risk patients, and/or b) a case finder for general practitioners (GPs) to assist in diagnosing anxiety disorders. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed in 43 primary care practices in the Netherlands. The added value of the PHQ was assessed in two samples: 1) 170 patients at risk of anxiety disorders (or developing them) according to their electronic medical records (high-risk sample); 2) 141 patients identified as a possible 'anxiety case' by a GP (GP-identified sample). All patients completed the PHQ and were interviewed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric interview to classify DSM-IV anxiety disorders. Psychometric properties were calculated, and a logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic value of the PHQ. Results: Using only the screening questions of the PHQ, the area under the curve was 83% in the high-risk sample. In GP-identified patients the official algorithm showed the best characteristics with an area under the curve of 77%. Positive screening questions significantly increased the odds of an anxiety disorder diagnosis in high-risk patients (odds ratio = 23.4; 95% confidence interval 6.9 to 78.8) as did a positive algorithm in GP-identified patients (odds ratio = 13.9; 95% confidence interval 3.8 to 50.6). Conclusions: The PHQ screening questions can be used to screen for anxiety disorders in high-risk primary care patients. In GP-identified patients, the benefit of the PHQ is less evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the criterion validity and the diagnostic accuracy of the Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ) regarding the identification of depressive and anxiety disorders in an insurance medicine setting. Participants: Our sample consisted of 230 individuals who applied for a work disability benefit due to mental health problems. Methods: Depressive and anxiety disorders were assessed using the 4DSQ and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Internal consistency was determined by calculating Cronbach's alpha values. Criterion validity was evaluated by regression techniques. A Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate diagnostic accuracy. Results: Of the 230 participants 109 (47.4%) had a current DSM-IV depressive disorder and 146 (63.5%) an anxiety disorder. The 4DSQ scales showed an excellent internal consistency. The depression scale of the 4DSQ had specific sensitivity for major depressive disorder. The anxiety scale was also sensitive for the anxiety disorders. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) indicated good diagnostic accuracy of the 4DSQ for assessing depressive and/or anxiety disorders: AUC-value 0.81 for both depression and anxiety. Conclusions: Although the 4DSQ shows good criterion validity and diagnostic accuracy with respect to depressive and anxiety disorders in applicants for a work disability benefit due to mental health problems, the feasibility of the 4DSQ as a screening measure for depressive and anxiety disorders is limited due to the high prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]