A comparison of diagnoses obtained from in-person and telephone interviews, using the semi-structured assessment for the genetics of alcoholism (SSAGA).
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses when the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (SSAGA-II) interview was administered in person with the prevalence when the SSAGA-II was conducted by telephone.


METHODS
As part of the Collaborative Studies on the Genetics of Alcoholism, SSAGAs were administered either by telephone (n = 1,294) or in person (n = 1,484) to adult relatives of probands (42.3% male). The two modes of interview were compared with respect to reported lifetime prevalence of (1) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) alcohol dependence; (2) other DSM-IV substance-dependence diagnoses (nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, opioid, stimulant, sedative); and (3) DSM-IV nonsubstance diagnoses (i.e., antisocial personality disorder, major depressive disorder, mania, panic, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder). These analyses took into account the potential confounds of gender, age, race, education, income, marital status, and potential within-family correlation.


RESULTS
Diagnostic prevalence rates for alcohol dependence and major depressive disorder were lower for telephone interviews than for in-person interviews (7% and 2%, respectively); there were no other significant differences.


CONCLUSIONS
When circumstances dictate (e.g., subject out of area, subject preference), telephone administration of the SSAGA should be considered.
Kramer
John R
JR
Department of Psychiatry, Medical Education Building, University of Iowa School of Medicine, 500 Newton Road., Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1000, USA. john-kramer@uiowa.edu
Chan
Grace
G
Kuperman
Samuel
S
Bucholz
Kathleen K
KK
Edenberg
Howard J
HJ
Schuckit
Marc A
MA
Polgreen
Linnea A
LA
Kapp
Ellen S
ES
Hesselbrock
Victor M
VM
Nurnberger
John I
JI
Bierut
Laura J
LJ
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000592:standards*; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015995:Prevalence; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*