Epidemiology and diagnostic systems in psychiatry.

Epidemiology and diagnosis are increasingly emerging as key topics in psychiatry. While each has particular roots, purposes and methods, a number of interesting points of contact can be elucidated. Bidirectional inter-relations between these fields are being perceived as growing and promising. Modern approaches to diagnostic description have made possible the design of potent tools for epidemiological surveys, and results from the latter are contributing to the refinement of diagnostic profiles. The new international diagnostic systems, including multiaxial formulations not only of illness but of the patient's whole clinical condition, offer challenging opportunities for further interaction and progress.