Implementing the semi-structured interview Kiddie-SADS-PL into an in-patient adolescent clinical setting: impact on frequency of diagnoses
2008

Impact of Kiddie-SADS-PL on Diagnoses in Adolescent Psychiatry

Sample size: 333 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Lauth Bertrand, Levy Sigurður Rafn A, Júlíusdóttir Guðlaug, Ferrari Pierre, Pétursson Hannes

Primary Institution: University of Iceland, Landspítali University Hospital

Hypothesis

Implementing the Kiddie-SADS-PL will improve the accuracy of diagnoses in an inpatient adolescent clinical setting.

Conclusion

The introduction of the Kiddie-SADS-PL significantly increased the rates of various psychiatric diagnoses among adolescents.

Supporting Evidence

  • The rates of depressive and anxiety disorders increased significantly after implementing the Kiddie-SADS-PL.
  • Co-morbidity rates among patients rose markedly with the use of the structured interview.
  • Patients diagnosed with suicidal ideation increased significantly after the introduction of the Kiddie-SADS-PL.

Takeaway

Using a special interview helped doctors find more mental health problems in kids who were admitted to the hospital.

Methodology

The study reviewed charts of adolescents admitted over three years before and after implementing the Kiddie-SADS-PL.

Potential Biases

The first author was the only Kiddie-SADS interviewer and also assigned diagnoses during the first period, which could introduce bias.

Limitations

The study may have biases due to changes in patient characteristics and the involvement of the same interviewer across both periods.

Participant Demographics

Adolescents aged 12-17, with 43% boys and 57% girls, admitted to a single psychiatric unit in Iceland.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Confidence Interval

95% CI

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1753-2000-2-14

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