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Screening of somatization disorder: validation of the Spanish version of the Othmer and DeSouza Test
Author(s) -
Garc ‘iaCampayo J. J.,
SanzCarrillo C.,
PerezEcheverria M. J.,
Campos R.,
Lobo A.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1996.tb09882.x
Subject(s) - somatization , somatization disorder , psychiatry , test (biology) , screening test , psychology , clinical psychology , medicine , anxiety , pediatrics , paleontology , biology
The objective of this study was to validate the Spanish version of the Othmer and DeSouza Screening Test for Somatization Disorder. We have designed a validity study using the Standardized Polyvalent Psychiatric Interview, an instrument specifically designed to diagnose psychiatric morbidity in medical settings as the ‘golden rule’. The control group displayed ‘functional’ and ‘presenting’ somatization. The Othmer and DeSouza Screening Test, with a threshold of three symptoms, shows 88% sensitivity, 78% specificity and a misclassification rate of 17%. It is concluded that Othmer and DeSouza's screening test, with a threshold of three symptoms, is a useful tool for the diagnosis of somatization disorder in medical and primary care settings in Spain. Discrepancies with US findings are discussed on a cross‐cultural basis.