Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the combined test-retest and interrater reliability of different psychiatric lifetime diagnoses yielded in the course of a family study in elderly patients and controls. The following interviews and questionnaires were used in combination: the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), the Structured Interview for the Diagnosis of Dementia of the Alzheimer Type, Multi-infarct Dementia and Dementias of Other Aetiology (SIDAM), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and questionnaires for neurasthenia and recurrent brief depression (RBD). Depressive and dementia disorders can be diagnosed with good reliability in a family study setting with the use of these instruments. The diagnoses of phobic disorders, neurasthenia, RBD, subthreshold RBD and psychiatric caseness as indicated by GHQ-12 scores were less reliable in this setting and are therefore less suitable for use in family studies.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Accepted: 24 January 1997
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Heun, R., Müller, H., Freyberger, H. et al. Reliability of interview information in a family study in the elderly. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 33, 140–144 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s001270050035
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s001270050035