TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY OF TEAM CONSENSUS BEST-ESTIMATE DIAGNOSES OF AXIS-I AND AXIS-II DISORDERS IN A FAMILY STUDY

Objective: The present study examined the test-retest reliability of t eam consensus best-estimate diagnoses of axis I and II disorders. Meth od: As part of a series of family studies of outpatients with depressi ve and Personality disorders, best-estimate diagnoses of relatives wer e derived in team diagnostic conferences held regularly over 4 years. Diagnoses were based on all available information, including direct in terviews, family history data, and treatment records, and explicit gui delines were developed to resolve discrepancies between data sources. To evaluate the reliability of the team best-estimate diagnoses, 92 re latives were independently rediagnosed after a 2-year interval. Result s: The reliability of both axis I and IT disorders was good to excelle nt. The results were similar for cases in which diagnoses were based o n direct interviews plus informant data and cases in which diagnoses w ere based on informant data alone. Conclusions: These data indicate th at the team consensus best-estimate diagnostic method can be applied c onsistently, evert over art interval of several years.