Icelandic translation and reliability data on the DSM-5 version of the schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia for school-aged children - present and lifetime version (K-SADS-PL).

BACKGROUND

(K-SADS-PL) is a semi-structured interview based on (DSM), and assesses past and present symptoms in children aged 6-18 years old. It has been translated into more than 20 languages and is widely used in clinical work. The K-SADS-PL has recently been revised by adopting new DSM-5 disorders and modifying probes accordingly. However, research on this revision is critically limited. The objective of this study was to examine the inter-rater reliability of the DSM-5 K-SADS-PL when administered by postgraduate students after receiving thorough training and supervision.

METHOD

The DSM-5 K-SADS-PL was applied in a clinical sample of two outpatient units: The outpatient unit of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Landspítali University Hospital in Reykjavík, Iceland and The Icelandic Anxiety Centre for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults.

RESULTS

Fourty-one (80%) consecutive patients aged 6-18 years consented and were included. Cohen's κ was calculated to estimate inter-rater reliability, with estimates ranging from fair to excellent (κ = 0.57-0.90), with most diagnoses in the excellent range (κ > 0.75).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that the Icelandic translation of the DSM-5 K-SADS-PL can be reliably administered by postgraduate students.