SCREENING OF SOMATIZATION DISORDER - VALIDATION OF THE SPANISH VERSION OF THE OTHMER AND DESOUZA TEST

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 Psychiatri c Interview, an instrument specifically designed to diagnose psychiatr ic morbidity in medical settings as the 'golden rule'. The control gro up displayed 'functional' and 'presenting' somatization. The Othmer an d 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 thresho ld of three symptoms, is a useful tool for the diagnosis of somatizati on disorder in medical and primary care settings in Spain. Discrepanci es with US findings are discussed on a cross-cultural basis.