A systematic review of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual diagnostic criteria for nicotine dependence.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual diagnostic criteria for nicotine dependence (DSM-ND) are based on the proposition that dependence is a syndrome that can be diagnosed only when a minimum of 3 of the 7 proscribed features are present. The DSM-ND criteria are an accepted research measure, but the validity of these criteria has not been subjected to a systematic evaluation. To systematically review evidence of validity and reliability for the DSM-ND criteria, a literature search was conducted of 16 national and international databases. Each article with original data was independently reviewed by two or more reviewers. In total, 380 potentially relevant articles were examined and 169 were reviewed in depth. The DSM-ND criteria have seen wide use in research settings, but sensitivity and specificity are well below the accepted standards for clinical applications. Predictive validity is generally poor. The 7 DSM-ND criteria are regarded as having face validity, but no data support a 3-symptom ND diagnostic threshold, or a 4-symptom withdrawal syndrome threshold. The DSM incorrectly states that daily smoking is a prerequisite for withdrawal symptoms. The DSM shows poor to modest concurrence with all other measures of nicotine dependence, smoking behaviors and biological measures of tobacco use. The data support the DSM-ND criteria as a valid measure of nicotine dependence severity for research applications. However, the data do not support the central premise of a 3-symptom diagnostic threshold, and no data establish that the DSM-ND criteria provide an accurate diagnosis of nicotine dependence.
DiFranza
Joseph
J
Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue, Worcester, MA 01655, USA. difranzj@ummhc.org
Ursprung
W W Sanouri
WW
Lauzon
Béatrice
B
Bancej
Christina
C
Wellman
Robert J
RJ
Ziedonis
Douglas
D
Kim
Sun S
SS
Gervais
André
A
Meltzer
Bruce
B
McKay
Colleen E
CE
O'Loughlin
Jennifer
J
Okoli
Chizimuzo T C
CT
Fortuna
Lisa R
LR
Tremblay
Michèle
M
D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012907:Smoking; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*