[The use of rating scales for the study of diagnostic models: recognition of the uncertainties in classification principles].

In a cross cultural comparison of diagnostic concepts, we obtained from 45 expert italian psychiatrits symptom rating profiles, in terms of B.P.R.S., of the 12 most used diagnostic categories. While for 11 diagnostic concepts agreement was reasonably good, for cycloïd psychosis the variability of results supported the conclusion that this diagnostic concept is rather non specific among italian psychiatrists.