Reliability and Validity of a German Standardized Diagnostic Interview Module for ICD-11 Adjustment Disorder.

The ICD-11 includes a new definition of adjustment disorder (AjD). The present study aimed to examine interrater reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity of a new diagnostic interview module to assess ICD-11 AjD. Data from two studies that used a standardized diagnostic interview assessment (i.e., DIA-X/M-CIDI and updated DIA-X-5) were used. For interrater reliability, agreement indicators (i.e., κ) were calculated using data from the DIA-X-5 test-retest study (N = 60). To examine internal consistency and construct validity, Cronbach's alpha values and the Kuder-Richardson correlation coefficient were computed along with confirmatory factor and latent class analyses (LCA), using data from the Zurich Adjustment Disorder Study (N = 330). Interrater reliability analyses found an adjusted kappa of 0.807 for the ICD-11 AjD diagnosis. Few items from the impairment criterion of the diagnostic algorithm performed poorly. The internal consistency was acceptable, Cronbach's αs = .43-.80; the lower-bound estimate resulted from the two-item preoccupation symptom pattern. However, both items were significantly associated, OR = 3.14, 95% CI [1.97, 4.99]. Regarding LCA results, a two-class model was favored. We found that 94.3% of all ICD-11 AjD cases belonged to Class 2, OR = 23.69, 95% CI [7.15, 79.54], which was associated with subjectively rated distress, OR = 2.18, 95% CI [1.57, 3.02], and the external measure of the Brief Symptom Inventory global severity index, OR = 2.18, 95% CI [1.57, 3.02]. Overall, the new AjD interview module provided a reliable, valid assessment of the ICD-11 diagnosis; confirmation by other studies is needed.

Prevalence and correlates of ICD-11 adjustment disorder: Findings from the Zurich Adjustment Disorder Study / Prevalencia y correlatos del trastorno de adaptación en la CIE-11: resultados del Estudio Zurich de Trastorno de Adaptación

Background/Objective: The 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) will provide a new definition of adjustment disorder (AjD). The aim of the present study is to report on prevalence and correlates of ICD-11 AjD in a high-risk sample. Method: Three hundred thirty persons who had lost their job involuntarily were sampled by local job centres. The Munich Composite International Diagnostic Interview was administered with a new AjD module. Associations between AjD and correlates were investigated with logistic regression analyses. Results: 27.3% of the participants reported the AjD core symptom pattern. 13.8% men and 17.2% women met diagnostic guidelines of ICD-11 AjD. Prevalence increased with age and exposure to multiple stressors. The AjD core symptom pattern was associated with various sociodemographic correlates (e. g., lower financial household budget), whereas the full ICD-11 diagnosis including the exclusion algorithm was not. Regarding work-related factors, AjD occurred with a lower probability if the last job position had higher responsibilities and more general confidence for the future. Conclusions: ICD-11 AjD has a high prevalence among persons who lost their jobs involuntarily. Healthcare professionals should be aware of this problem. Research to investigate the ICD-11 AjD concept in the general populations and other subpopulations is needed

Antecedentes/Objetivo: La versión beta de la undécima revisión de la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades (CIE-11) proporciona una nueva definición del trastorno de adaptación (TdA). Este estudio investiga la prevalencia y los correlatos del CIE-11 TdA en una muestra de personas de alto riesgo. Método: Se reclutaron trescientas treinta personas afectadas por una pérdida de trabajo involuntaria. Se aplicó la Munich Composite International Diagnostic Interview y un nuevo módulo del TdA. Se calcularon asociaciones entre TdA y correlatos mediante análisis de regresión logísticas. Resultados: El 27,3% de los participantes reportaron el patrón de síntomas principales de TdA. El 13,8% de los hombres y el 17,2% de las mujeres cumplieron con los criterios de diagnóstico del CIE-11 TdA. La prevalencia se relacionó con la edad y la exposición a múltiples estresores. Solamente el patrón de los síntomas principales, pero no el diagnóstico completo, correlacionó con factores socio-demográficos (e. g., presupuesto familiar). La probabilidad del TdA era más baja si el último puesto de trabajo fue de más responsabilidad y con más perspectivas de futuro. Conclusiones: Existe una prevalencia elevada del CIE-11 TdA en personas afectadas por una pérdida de trabajo involuntaria. Se precisa más investigación sobre el concepto del TdA en la CIE-11

Prevalence and correlates of ICD-11 adjustment disorder: Findings from the Zurich Adjustment Disorder Study.

Background/Objective: The 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) will provide a new definition of adjustment disorder (AjD). The aim of the present study is to report on prevalence and correlates of ICD-11 AjD in a high-risk sample. Method: Three hundred thirty persons who had lost their job involuntarily were sampled by local job centres. The Munich Composite International Diagnostic Interview was administered with a new AjD module. Associations between AjD and correlates were investigated with logistic regression analyses. Results: 27.3% of the participants reported the AjD core symptom pattern. 13.8% men and 17.2% women met diagnostic guidelines of ICD-11 AjD. Prevalence increased with age and exposure to multiple stressors. The AjD core symptom pattern was associated with various sociodemographic correlates (e. g., lower financial household budget), whereas the full ICD-11 diagnosis including the exclusion algorithm was not. Regarding work-related factors, AjD occurred with a lower probability if the last job position had higher responsibilities and more general confidence for the future. Conclusions: ICD-11 AjD has a high prevalence among persons who lost their jobs involuntarily. Healthcare professionals should be aware of this problem. Research to investigate the ICD-11 AjD concept in the general populations and other subpopulations is needed.

Antecedentes/Objetivo: La versión beta de la undécima revisión de la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades (CIE-11) proporciona una nueva definición del trastorno de adaptación (TdA). Este estudio investiga la prevalencia y los correlatos del CIE-11 TdA en una muestra de personas de alto riesgo. Método: Se reclutaron trescientas treinta personas afectadas por una pérdida de trabajo involuntaria. Se aplicó la Munich Composite International Diagnostic Interview y un nuevo módulo del TdA. Se calcularon asociaciones entre TdA y correlatos mediante análisis de regresión logísticas. Resultados: El 27,3% de los participantes reportaron el patrón de síntomas principales de TdA. El 13,8% de los hombres y el 17,2% de las mujeres cumplieron con los criterios de diagnóstico del CIE-11 TdA. La prevalencia se relacionó con la edad y la exposición a múltiples estresores. Solamente el patrón de los síntomas principales, pero no el diagnóstico completo, correlacionó con factores socio-demográficos (e. g., presupuesto familiar). La probabilidad del TdA era más baja si el último puesto de trabajo fue de más responsabilidad y con más perspectivas de futuro. Conclusiones: Existe una prevalencia elevada del CIE-11 TdA en personas afectadas por una pérdida de trabajo involuntaria. Se precisa más investigación sobre el concepto del TdA en la CIE-11.

A socio-interpersonal approach to adjustment disorder: the example of involuntary job loss.

Background: Adjustment disorder (AjD) was redefined for ICD-11 with core symptoms of preoccupation with a stressor and failure to adapt. The socio-interpersonal framework model for stress-response syndromes suggests that interpersonal factors, besides intrapersonal processes, substantially contribute to the development of AjD. Objective: The current study aimed to identify predictive factors in the development of AjD symptoms by the application of a framework model for stress-response syndromes. Method: N = 321 recently laid-off participants (47.7% female) were assessed with a newly developed standardized clinical diagnostic interview section on ICD-11 AjD. Self-report questionnaires measured AjD symptom severity, and interpersonal and intrapersonal predictors. Path analysis was used to model the associations between AjD symptom severity and the predictor variables. We conducted logistic regression to identify associated characteristics of diagnostic status. Results: AjD symptoms were highly prevalent and 25.6% of participants met the diagnostic criteria. Higher loneliness, higher dysfunctional disclosure, and lower self-efficacy were associated with both higher symptom severity and higher likelihood of meeting the diagnostic criteria for AjD. Higher perceived social support was associated with higher likelihood for AjD diagnosis. Conclusions: Research on risk factors for AjD is still sparse. This study provided empirical evidence on the role of interpersonal factors supporting the socio-interpersonal model for stress-response syndromes.

Planteamiento: El trastorno de adaptación (TAd) se redefinió para la CIE-11 con síntomas centrales de preocupación por un factor estresante y falta de adaptación. El modelo de marco socio-interpersonal para los síndromes de respuesta ante el estrés sugiere que los factores interpersonales, además de los procesos intrapersonales, contribuyen sustancialmente al desarrollo del TAd. Objetivo: El presente estudio pretendía identificar los factores predictivos en el desarrollo de síntomas de TAd mediante la aplicación de un modelo de marco de trabajo para los síndromes de respuesta frente al estrés. Método: Se evaluaron N = 321 participantes recientemente despedidos (47,7% mujeres) con una sección de entrevista diagnóstica clínica estandarizada recientemente desarrollada para el TAd de la CIE-11. Los cuestionarios de autoinforme midieron la gravedad de los síntomas de TAd y los predictores interpersonales e intrapersonales. El análisis de ruta se utilizó para modelar las asociaciones entre la gravedad del síntoma de TAd y las variables predictoras. Realizamos una regresión logística para identificar las características asociadas del estatus del diagnóstico. Resultados: Los síntomas de TAd fueron altamente prevalentes y el 25.6% de los participantes cumplieron con los criterios diagnósticos. Una mayor soledad, una revelación personal más disfuncional y una menor autoeficacia se asociaron con una mayor gravedad de los síntomas y una mayor probabilidad de cumplir los criterios de diagnóstico para el TAd. Un mayor apoyo social percibido se asoció con una mayor probabilidad de diagnóstico de Tad. Conclusión: La investigación sobre los factores de riesgo para el TAd aún es escasa. Este estudio proporcionó evidencia empírica sobre el papel de los factores interpersonales que apoyan el modelo socio-interpersonal para los síndromes de respuesta frente al estrés.

Incident mental disorders in the aftermath of traumatic events: A prospective-longitudinal community study.

BACKGROUND: Few strictly prospective-longitudinal community studies examined the role of traumatic events for risk of developing a broad range of incident mental disorders over several years. METHOD: A representative community sample of adolescents and young adults (n = 2797, baseline age 14-24) was prospectively examined in up to three assessment waves over up to 10 years. Traumatic events and DSM-IV mental disorders were assessed at each wave using the DIA-X/M-CIDI. Associations between traumatic events (meeting the DSM-IV A1-criterion for posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD) or qualifying traumatic events (meeting the DSM-IV A2-criterion) at baseline and incident disorders at follow-up were tested with logistic regressions adjusted for gender and age. RESULTS: While traumatic and qualifying traumatic events at baseline were related to various baseline disorders, considerably fewer associations were found in strictly prospective analyses with incident disorders at follow-up as outcomes. After adjustment for baseline disorders, only (a) the association of traumatic events with incident specific phobias (Odds Ratio, OR = 1.6) and (b) the associations of qualifying traumatic events with incident specific phobias (OR = 1.6), PTSD (OR = 2.5) and major depressive episodes (OR = 1.4) remained significant. CONCLUSION: Targeted prevention and early intervention among traumatized individuals may be particularly beneficial to lower the incidence of specific phobias and MDE besides PTSD. LIMITATIONS: Associations between traumatic events and incident mental disorders might be underestimated, as cases developing psychopathology immediately after trauma exposure prior to baseline were excluded in our strictly prospective analyses.

Is adjustment disorder unidimensional or multidimensional? Implications for ICD-11.

In preparation for ICD-11, the adjustment disorder (AjD) diagnosis has undergone considerable revisions; however, the latent structure of AjD remains uncertain. It is unclear whether AjD is best represented as a unidimensional or multidimensional construct. This study performed a comprehensive assessment of the latent structure of AjD symptomatology and assessed its concurrent and discriminant validity. Individuals who experienced involuntary job loss (N = 333) completed a self-report measure of AjD symptoms. Seven alternative models of AjD were tested using confirmatory factor analysis. General psychological distress, impairment in social functioning, occupational self-efficacy, and sense of coherence were used as criterion variables for construct validity. In the confirmatory factor analysis, a bifactor solution with one dominant general AjD factor and 5 correlated group factors (preoccupation, failure-to-adapt, avoidance, affective reaction, and impulsivity) provided optimal fit. As expected, the AjD factor showed strong positive associations with general psychological distress and impairments in social functioning and moderately negative associations with occupational self-efficacy and sense of coherence. With regard to unidimensionality or multidimensionality of AjD symptoms, the current results indicate the plausibility of a unidimensional conceptualization. Future research should focus on essential key characteristics and a reduction of symptoms for the AjD definition.

Measuring the ICD-11 adjustment disorder concept: Validity and sensitivity to change of the Adjustment Disorder - New Module questionnaire in a clinical intervention study.

Adjustment disorder (AjD) is a frequent but under-researched diagnosis due in part to a lack of specific symptom criteria and adequate tools of measurement. The ICD-11 for the first time proposes a positive symptom catalogue to define AjD. This study presents a validation of the Adjustment Disorder - New Module (ADNM), the first symptom severity measure for AjD according to the ICD-11 concept. Validity and sensitivity to change were investigated in a sample of 190 individuals with a DSM-IV diagnosis of AjD. The ADNM scales demonstrated convergent and discriminant validity for anxiety symptoms (Hamilton Anxiety Scale; psychic anxiety r = 0.18-0.31), functional impairment (Sheehan Disability Scale; r = 0.18-0.47), and depression (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale; r = 0.13-0.30). At baseline 78% of the individuals with a DSM-IV diagnosis of AjD were also classified so by the ADNM. Repeated-measures ANOVA indicated significant ADNM-symptom decrease during treatment, replicating the patterns of the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Sheehan Disability Scale, and Clinical Global Impression Scale. This article presents the first use of the ADNM as a measure for ICD-11 AjD in a randomized-controlled intervention study of AjD. It provides support for the construct validity and sensitivity to symptom change of this scale during pharmacological treatment.

Disorders specifically associated with stress: A case-controlled field study for ICD-11 mental and behavioural disorders / Trastornos específicamente relacionados con el estrés: estudio de campo de casos controlados para la CIE-11

As part of the development of the Eleventh Revision of International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11), the World Health Organization Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse is conducting a series of case-controlled field studies using a new and powerful method to test the application by clinicians of the proposed ICD-11 diagnostic guidelines for mental and behavioural disorders. This article describes the case-controlled field study for Disorders Specifically Associated with Stress. Using a vignette-based experimental methodology, 1,738 international mental health professionals diagnosed standardized cases designed to test key differences between the proposed diagnostic guidelines for ICD-11 and corresponding guidelines for ICD-10. Across eight comparisons, several proposed changes for ICD-11, including the addition of Complex PTSD and Prolonged Grief Disorder, produced significantly improved diagnostic decisions and clearer application of diagnostic guidelines compared to ICD-10. However, several key areas were also identified, such as the description of the diagnostic requirement of re-experiencing in PTSD, in which the guidelines were not consistently applied as intended. These results informed specific revisions to improve the clarity of the proposed ICD-11 diagnostic guidelines. The next step will be to further test these guidelines in clinic-based studies using real patients in relevant settings (AU)

Como parte del desarrollo de la onceava versión de la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades y Problemas de Salud Relacionados (CIE-11), la Organización Mundial de la Salud está conduciendo una serie de estudios de campo de casos controlados utilizando un novedoso y potente método para evaluar la aplicación por parte de clínicos de las guías diagnósticas para los trastornos mentales y del comportamiento. Este artículo describe el estudio de campo de casos controlados para los Trastornos específicamente relacionados con el estrés. Con base en una metodología experimental de viñetas, 1.738 profesionales de la salud mental diagnosticaron casos estandarizados específicamente diseñados para evaluar diferencias clave entre las guías propuestas para la CIE-11 y las que les corresponden en la CIE-10. Diversos cambios propuestos para la CIE-11, incluyendo la adición del TEPT complejo y del Trastorno por duelo prolongado, produjeron mejores decisiones diagnósticas en comparación con la versión previa del manual. Sin embargo, se identificaron también áreas en las que las guías no se aplicaron de manera consistente, como el requisito diagnóstico de re-experimentación para el TEPT, lo que informó revisiones específicas para mejorar las guías diagnósticas, que serán evaluadas en futuros estudios basados en la clínica con pacientes reales en escenarios relevante (AU)

Evidence for two different ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorders in a community sample of adolescents and young adults.

For the 11th revision of the International classification of diseases, a general category of posttraumatic stress disorders has been proposed with two distinct sibling disorders: posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD). General population data are examined on evidence for these two disorders. Data were drawn from a 10-year prospective longitudinal, epidemiological study with a representative community sample (N = 3021, 14-24 years at baseline) in Germany. Mixture modelling on latent classes was conducted in a subset of all reported episodes with exposure to interpersonal traumas. Associations between class membership, symptom criteria, and other mental disorders were investigated. Four distinctly interpretable latent classes were found. Class 1 episodes (N = 181) typically included core PTSD symptoms associated with strong impairment (OR 11.68; 95 % CI 4.54-30.05). 18.3 % of these episodes matched the criteria of ICD-11 PTSD. Class 2 episodes (N = 78) had a high probability of PTSD core symptoms and disturbances in self-organization and were associated with strong impairment (OR 38.47; 95 % CI 15.77-93.86). Half of them (49.4 %) matched the proposed ICD-11 criteria of CPTSD. Class 3 (N = 79) was typically characterized by episodes with disturbances in self-organization but a low probability of PTSD core symptoms and impairment. Class 4 (N = 633) was related to a relatively low probability of symptom reports. Membership in class 2 was associated with lower educational attainment, a lower social class, and more other mental disorders. Findings support the ICD-11 proposal to differentiate between PTSD and CPTSD. Further studies should extend exploration to other types of traumatic events in samples covering the full age range.

Disorders specifically associated with stress: A case-controlled field study for ICD-11 mental and behavioural disorders.

As part of the development of the Eleventh Revision of International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11), the World Health Organization Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse is conducting a series of case-controlled field studies using a new and powerful method to test the application by clinicians of the proposed ICD-11 diagnostic guidelines for mental and behavioural disorders. This article describes the case-controlled field study for Disorders Specifically Associated with Stress. Using a vignette-based experimental methodology, 1,738 international mental health professionals diagnosed standardized cases designed to test key differences between the proposed diagnostic guidelines for ICD-11 and corresponding guidelines for ICD-10. Across eight comparisons, several proposed changes for ICD-11, including the addition of Complex PTSD and Prolonged Grief Disorder, produced significantly improved diagnostic decisions and clearer application of diagnostic guidelines compared to ICD-10. However, several key areas were also identified, such as the description of the diagnostic requirement of re-experiencing in PTSD, in which the guidelines were not consistently applied as intended. These results informed specific revisions to improve the clarity of the proposed ICD-11 diagnostic guidelines. The next step will be to further test these guidelines in clinic-based studies using real patients in relevant settings.

Como parte del desarrollo de la onceava versión de la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades y Problemas de Salud Relacionados (CIE-11), la Organización Mundial de la Salud está conduciendo una serie de estudios de campo de casos controlados utilizando un novedoso y potente método para evaluar la aplicación por parte de clínicos de las guías diagnósticas para los trastornos mentales y del comportamiento. Este artículo describe el estudio de campo de casos controlados para los Trastornos específicamente relacionados con el estrés. Con base en una metodología experimental de viñetas, 1.738 profesionales de la salud mental diagnosticaron casos estandarizados específicamente diseñados para evaluar diferencias clave entre las guías propuestas para la CIE-11 y las que les corresponden en la CIE-10. Diversos cambios propuestos para la CIE-11, incluyendo la adición del TEPT complejo y del Trastorno por duelo prolongado, produjeron mejores decisiones diagnósticas en comparación con la versión previa del manual. Sin embargo, se identificaron también áreas en las que las guías no se aplicaron de manera consistente, como el requisito diagnóstico de re-experimentación para el TEPT, lo que informó revisiones específicas para mejorar las guías diagnósticas, que serán evaluadas en futuros estudios basados en la clínica con pacientes reales en escenarios relevantes.

[What do psychologists think about classificatory diagnostics: the WHO-IUPsyS-survey in Germany and Switzerland in preparation for the ICD-11]. / Wie sehen Psychologen die klassifikatorische Diagnostik: WHO-IUPsyS-Survey in Deutschland und der Schweiz zur Vorbereitung der ICD-11.

AIM OF THE STUDY: For the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11) attitudes of psychologists towards classificatory diagnostics should be considered. METHOD: A survey was conducted via the Internet in 22 countries. 1985 psychologists participated with N=170 from Germany and N=37 from Switzerland. RESULTS: The German participants preferred the ICD. Classificatory diagnostics should inform on treatment as well as serve for communication. The majority argued for a flexible use and guidance towards strict criteria. In contrast to respondents from other countries, a functional status as part of the diagnostic criteria was not considered but in line with them, a dimensional component was endorsed. CONCLUSION: Responses of the German psychologists partially differ to those of participants from other countries. Differences and implications are discussed.

Applying an international perspective in defining PTSD and related disorders: comment on Friedman (2013).

We address the general perspective of the World Health Organization towards the classification process of the 11(th) revision of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11); give a short description of the ICD-11 proposals related to "disorders specifically associated with stress" and the differentiation between posttraumatic stress disorder, complex posttraumatic stress disorder, and prolonged grief disorder; and comment on the most important aim of classifying mental disorders-to provide the best treatments available.

Mental disorders and smoking trajectories: a 10-year prospective study among adolescents and young adults in the community.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have documented an association between mental disorders and onset of cigarette smoking. Yet, there is little understanding of the potential impact of mental disorders on trajectories of smoking over time. The objective of this study was to investigate this relationship among adolescents over a 10-year span. METHODS: Data were drawn from the Early Developmental Stages of Psychopathology Study, a 10-year prospective investigation of youth in Germany. Growth mixture modeling was used to identify smoking trajectories and logistic regression analyses were used to examine relationships between mental disorders and subsequent trajectories. RESULTS: Four trajectories were identified: non-users; increasing use; decreasing use; persistent use. Alcohol/drug use disorders, stress disorders, anxiety disorders, somatoform disorder and nicotine dependence were associated with nicotine use (as compared to the non-smoker class). However, comparisons between trajectories of nicotine use showed that any stress disorder predicted only decreasing use compared to the other two trajectories; nicotine dependence, alcohol/illicit drug use disorders as well as panic disorder and somatoform disorders were inversely associated with increasing use; nicotine dependence and alcohol/drug use disorders were associated with persistent use. CONCLUSIONS: Several mental disorders appear to be non-specific markers of the range of smoking trajectories while others predict specific trajectories. Numerous disorders (e.g., alcohol/drug use disorders) do not appear to occur only prior to and predict increased smoking trajectory as had been previously suggested, but rather they also occur concurrently, with high levels of smoking and in some cases smoking persists at a steady level over time.

The costs of disorders of the brain in Switzerland: an update from the European Brain Council Study for 2010.

BACKGROUND: In 2005, findings of the first "cost of disorders of the brain in Europe" study of the European Brain Council (EBC) showed that these costs cause a substantial economic burden to the Swiss society. In 2010 an improved update with a broader range of disorders has been analysed. This report shows the new findings for Switzerland and discusses changes. METHODS: Data are derived from the EBC 2010 census study that estimates 12-month prevalence of 12 groups of disorders of the brain and calculates costs (direct health-care costs, direct non-medical costs and indirect costs) by combining top-down and bottom up cost approaches using existing data. RESULTS: The most frequent disorder was headache (2.3 million). Anxiety disorders were found in 1 million persons and sleep disorders in 700,000 persons. Annual costs for all assessed disorders total to 14.5 billion Euro corresponding to about 1,900 EUR per inhabitant per year. Mood, psychotic disorders and dementias (appr. 2 billion EUR each) were most costly. Costs per person were highest for neurological/neurosurgery-relevant disorders, e.g. neuromuscular disorders, brain tumour and multiple sclerosis (38,000 to 24,000 EUR). CONCLUSION: The estimates of the EBC 2010 study for Switzerland provide a basis for health care planning. Increase in size and costs compared to 2005 are mostly due to the inclusion of new disorders (e.g., sleep disorders), or the re-definition of others (e.g., headache) and to an increase in younger cohorts. We suggest coordinated research and preventive measures coordinated between governmental bodies, private health-care and pharmaceutical companies.

The relevance of age at first alcohol and nicotine use for initiation of cannabis use and progression to cannabis use disorders.

BACKGROUND: A younger age at onset of use of a specific substance is a well-documented risk-factor for a substance use disorder (SUD) related to that specific substance. However, the cross-substance relationship between a younger age at onset of alcohol use (AU) and nicotine use (NU) and the risk of cannabis use disorders (CUD) in adolescence and early adulthood remains unclear. AIMS: To identify the sequence of and latency between initial AU/NU and initial cannabis use (CU). To investigate whether younger age at AU- and NU-onset is associated with any and earlier CU-onset and a higher risk of transition from first CU to CUD, taking into account externalizing disorders (ED) and parental substance use disorders as putative influential factors. METHODS: Prospective-longitudinal community study with N=3021 subjects (baseline age 14-24) and up to four assessment waves over up to ten years with additional direct parental and family history information. Substance use and CUD were assessed with the DSM-IV/M-CIDI. RESULTS: Most subjects with CU reported AU (99%) and NU (94%). Among users of both substances, 93% reported AU prior to CU (87% for NU). After adjustment for ED and parental substance use disorders younger age at AU-onset was associated with any CU. Younger age at NU-onset was associated with earlier CU initiation. Younger age at AU- and NU-onset was not associated with a higher risk of CUD. CONCLUSIONS: The cross-substance relevance of younger age at first AU and NU for the risk of CUD is limited to early CU involvement.

A typology of cannabis-related problems among individuals with repeated illegal drug use in the first three decades of life: Evidence for heterogeneity and different treatment needs.

BACKGROUND: Cannabis use (CU) and disorders (CUD) are highly prevalent among adolescents and young adults. We aim to identify clinically meaningful latent classes of users of cannabis and other illegal substances with distinct problem profiles. METHODS: N=3021 community subjects aged 14-24 at baseline were followed-up over a period ranging up to 10 years. Substance use (SU) and disorders (SUD) were assessed with the DSM-IV/M-CIDI. Latent class analysis (LCA) was conducted with a subset of N=1089 subjects with repeated illegal SU. The variables entered in the LCA were CU-related problems, CUD, other SUD, and other mental disorders. RESULTS: Four latent classes were identified: "Unproblematic CU" (class 1: 59.2%), "Primary alcohol use disorders" (class 2: 14.4%), "Delinquent cannabis/alcohol DSM-IV-abuse" (class 3: 17.9%), "CUD with multiple problems" (class 4: 8.5%). Range and level of CU-related problems were highest in classes 3 and 4. Comorbidity with other mental disorders was highest in classes 2 and 4. The probability of alcohol disorders and unmet treatment needs was considerable in classes 2-4. CONCLUSION: While the majority of subjects with repeated illegal SU did not experience notable problems over the 10-year period, a large minority (40.8%) experienced problematic outcomes, distinguished by clinically meaningful profiles. The data underline the need for specifically tailored interventions for adolescents with problematic CU and highlight the potentially important role of alcohol and other mental disorders.

Posttraumatic stress disorder: diagnostic and epidemiological perspectives.

We reviewed epidemiological findings for the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its core diagnostic features, focusing on whether epidemiology has been helpful in clarifying some of the critical diagnostic issues relevant to the revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases. Though epidemiology has provided increasingly rich data and knowledge regarding prevalence and incidence, patterns of onset and course, comorbidity, and risk factors for traumatic experiences and posttraumatic stress, little systematic research has been performed specifically addressing such critical diagnostic issues. Particularly, unresolved concerns remain regarding the definition of trauma, duration and impairment/distress criteria, the distinctiveness of the PTSD-syndrome, and even the position of PTSD in the classification system of mental disorders. A further exploitation of the existing data, and an improvement of existing epidemiological methods, strategies, and assessments are likely to substantially contribute to the clarification of unresolved diagnostic issues.

Posttraumatic stress disorder and obesity: evidence for a risk association.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence from cross-sectional studies that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be associated with obesity. The aim of this study was to examine prospective longitudinal associations between PTSD and obesity in a community sample. METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal, epidemiologic study with a representative community sample of adolescents and young adults (N=3021, aged 14-24 years at baseline) was conducted in Munich, Germany. Participants were assessed four times between 1995 and 2005 with the Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Associations between obesity (BMI > or =30) and DSM-IV PTSD were evaluated in 2007, using cross-sectional and prospective data during young adulthood. RESULTS: The cumulative lifetime incidence of obesity in the sample at 10-year follow-up during young adulthood was 4.3% (women, 4.6%; men, 4.0%). Among women but not among men, obesity was associated with a lifetime history of PTSD (OR=3.8; 95% CI=1.4, 10.7) in the cross-sectional analyses. Prospective longitudinal analyses from 4-year follow-up to 10-year follow-up confirmed that obesity was predicted by antecedent subthreshold and full PTSD (OR=3.0; 95% CI=1.3, 7.0) among women but not among men. There were no associations between other mental disorders and obesity in the prospective analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate a possible causal pathway for the onset of obesity in females with PTSD symptoms. These findings need replication with regard to the pathophysiologic and behavioral mechanisms underlying this relationship.

The natural course of cannabis use, abuse and dependence during the first decades of life.

AIMS: There has been little available information on the long-term natural course, persistence and remission of cannabis use, abuse and dependence. The current study estimated rates and risk factors associated with stability and variation in cannabis use patterns, cannabis abuse and cannabis dependence in a community sample over a 10-year period. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective longitudinal, epidemiological study with a 4- and 10-year follow-up of a community sample (n = 3021) aged 14-24 years at baseline in Munich, Germany. MEASUREMENTS: Cannabis use, abuse and dependence and associated risk factors were assessed by face-to-face interviews using the Munich Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Findings At baseline, one-third of the sample (34.2%) had used cannabis at least once. The cumulative incidence of cannabis use 10 years later was 50.7%. Fifty-six per cent of all repeated users (five times or more) at baseline reported cannabis use at 4-year follow-up. Ten years later, this proportion had decreased slightly to only 46.3%. Repeated (five times or more) users were almost three times more likely to report repeated use at 10-year follow up (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.6-4.7), compared with those who had used cannabis fewer times. Peer use of cannabis, life-events and alcohol dependence also predicted use of cannabis at 10-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Among youth who have used cannabis repeatedly (five times or more) cannabis use is fairly stable and rates of remission relatively low until age 34 years. Patterns of progression suggest that early targeted preventive measures should delay first use and reduce the number of experiences using cannabis, as these factors appear critical in progression to persistent cannabis use and cannabis dependence.