[Psychiatric cases identification by multi-step epidemiological studies: methods, problems and applicability].
OBJECTIVE
To discuss methodological aspects of the two stages in the identification of psychiatric cases in epidemiological studies.


METHODS
Analyze the methodology used in the Multicentric Psychiatric Morbidity Study, which was conducted in three Brazilian cities (São Paulo, Brasília and Porto Alegre). In the first stage of that study, a random sample (6,740 individuals) of the population was drawn and all the participants were screened with the Questionnaire of Psychiatric Morbidity of the Adult (QMPA). In the second stage, a sample (775 individuals) of this population was drawn and these individuals were submitted to the Inventory of Symptoms of DSM-III, carried out by psychiatrists and trained psychologists.


RESULTS
The study procedure for estimating the prevalence is described in details, showing that though the screening scales are a weak tool, they don't interfere with the methodology.


CONCLUSIONS
The advantage of this methodology is to correct any distortions caused by the current tools used in the identification of psychiatric cases.
Andreoli
S B
SB
Departamento de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. andreoli@psiquiatria.epm.br
de Almeida Filho
N
N
Coutinho
E S
ES
Mari JJd
D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009017:Morbidity; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010552:Personality Assessment; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires