Rg. Dufresne et al., A screening questionnaire for body dysmorphic disorder in a cosmetic dermatologic surgery practice, DERM SURG, 27(5), 2001, pp. 457-462
BACKGROUND. Dermatologic surgeons frequently see patients with body dysmorp
hic disorder, a distressing or impairing pre-occupation with a nonexistent
or slight defect in appearance. Recognition of this disorder is essential t
o avoid unnecessary a and generally unsatisfying surgical outcomes, but no
screening tools are available fur use in a dermatology setting.
OBJECTIVE. To develop and validate a brief self-report questionnaire to scr
een for body dysmorphic disorder in dermatology settings.
METHODS. A questionnaire was developed and its sensitivity and specificity
determined in 46 subjects, using a reliable clinician-administered diagnost
ic interview fur body dysmorphic disorder. The interrater reliability of: a
defect severity scale was also determined (n = 50).
RESULTS. The self-report questionnaire had a sensitivity of 100% and a spec
ificity of 93%. The interrater reliability (ICC) of the defect rating scale
was .88.
CONCLUSIONS. This brief questionnaire was a highly effective screening tool
for body dysmorphic disorder in a cosmetic dermatology setting. Use of thi
s questionnaire may help identify patients with this syndrome.