Psychiatric cases identification by multi steps epidemiological studies: methods, problems and applicability
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102000000500007Keywords:
Mental disorders^i2^sepidemiol, Psychiatric status rating scales, Multicenter studies^i2^smeth, Morbidity surveys, Prevalence, Epidemiologic studies, Mental status schedule, Evaluation studiesAbstract
OBJECTIVE: To discuss methodological aspects of the two stages in the identification of psychiatric cases in epidemiological studies. METHODS: Analyze the methodology used in the Multicentric Psychiatric Morbidity Study, which was conducted in three Brazilian cities (São Paulo, Brasília and Porto Alegre). In the first stage of that study, a random sample (6,740 individuals) of the population was drawn and all the participants were screened with the Questionnaire of Psychiatric Morbidity of the Adult (QMPA). In the second stage, a sample (775 individuals) of this population was drawn and these individuals were submitted to the Inventory of Symptoms of DSM-III, carried out by psychiatrists and trained psychologists. RESULTS: The study procedure for estimating the prevalence is described in details, showing that though the screening scales are a weak tool, they don't interfere with the methodology. CONCLUSION: The advantage of this methodology is to correct any distortions caused by the current tools used in the identification of psychiatric cases.Downloads
Published
2000-10-01
Issue
Section
Original Articles
How to Cite
Andreoli, S. B., Almeida Filho, N. de, Coutinho, E. S., & Mari, J. de J. (2000). Psychiatric cases identification by multi steps epidemiological studies: methods, problems and applicability . Revista De Saúde Pública, 34(5), 475-483. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102000000500007