The structured interview for anorexic and bulimic disorders for DSM-IV and ICD-10 (SIAB-EX): reliability and validity.
OBJECTIVE
For reliable and valid assessment and diagnostic categorization of eating disorders, self-report measures have considerable limitations. A semi-structured interview - the SIAB-EX - was developed for a more reliable and valid assessment of eating disorders.


METHODS
One study (videotapes of 31 inpatients, seven raters) was made to establish inter-rater reliability; in another study with 80 patients the SIAB-EX was compared to another semi-structured interview designed for comparable purposes (EDE). In a third study data was obtained on 377 eating disorder patients seeking treatment to explore discriminant and convergent (construct) validity using the following self-rating scales: EDI, TFEQ, SCL-90, BDI, and the PERI Demoralization Scale.


RESULTS
Inter-rater reliability of dichotomous ratings was good with mean kappa values of.81 (current) and.85 (past). Comparison of the SIAB-EX with the EDE generally showed quite similar results and higher intercorrelation of the total scale (.77). There are, however, a number of differences between the two scales, which are discussed in detail. Construct validity of the SIAB-EX was established.


CONCLUSIONS
Inter-rater reliability was good. Convergent and discriminant (construct) validity of the SIAB-EX was demonstrated. The constructs assessed by the SIAB and its subscales and items are discussed in the context of their correlations with other well-known scales.
Fichter
M
M
Department of Psychiatry, University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Quadflieg
N
N
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001828:Body Image; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index