A structure-based expert model of the ICD-10 mental disorders.
BACKGROUND
Many authors have highlighted that a classificatory system such as the ICD-10 or the DSM-IV should attempt to integrate categorical as well as dimensional aspects rather than relying only on a categorical distinction.


METHODS
In the current study, a method is presented that allows both perspectives to be considered. Based on their clinical experience, 20 therapists were asked to rate a selection of ICD-10 mental disorders in terms of their similarity. The resulting data were processed by nonmetric multidimensional scaling on individual basis as well as mean basis and a cluster analysis.


RESULTS
From a categorical point of view, the resulting mean cognitive map and the cluster analytic groups showed a good concordance with the ICD-10 F groups. Additionally, analogies to the critical observations with regard to the classification systems could be observed. From the dimensional point of view, there were two dimensions found (cognition and psychosis) which showed high correlations in the mean map.


CONCLUSIONS
The method presented in this study offers an opportunity to account for dimensional as well as categorical aspects of classification by exploring the structure of the ICD-10 mental disorders directly from the point of view of therapists and thus creating the basis for an expert model.
Egli
Samy
S
Institute of Psychology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
Schlatter
Katharina
K
Streule
Roland
R
Läge
Damian
D
D000465:Algorithms; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis; D003625:Data Collection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005103:Expert Systems; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011570:Psychiatry; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D009626:Terminology as Topic