Accuracy of chart diagnoses of alcoholism in patients with a history of psychosis.
At two psychiatric clinics, 76 patients with a history of psychosis were interviewed by a researcher blind to the presence or absence of a chart diagnosis of alcoholism. Another person blind to research diagnosis ascertained the chart diagnosis of alcoholism. The lifetime prevalence of alcoholism, according to a structured research interview, was 45% at a mental health center, and 29% at a teaching hospital clinic. When compared to the lifetime prevalence of alcoholism, as determined by the research interview, chart diagnoses had sensitivities of 21% and 20%, respectively; specificity was 100% at both sites. Psychiatric chart diagnoses are not sensitive indicators of psychiatric patients' alcoholism.
Kirkpatrick
B
B
Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Baltimore.
Johnson
M S
MS
Earp
J A
JA
Fletcher
R H
RH
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records / Q000592:standards*; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications*