title: The Chinese version of the Severity of Dependence Scale as a screening tool for benzodiazepine dependence in Taiwan.
abstract: The development of an instrument to estimate the incidence, characteristics, and risk factors of benzodiazepine (BZD) dependence broadly in Taiwan is an important task. This study assessed the validity of the Chinese version of the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS([Ch])) among regular BZD users in Taiwan (n=228). A positive correlation was shown between SDS([Ch]) and Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview diagnosed of BZD dependence. Thirty-six percent of the users received a Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview diagnosis of current BZD dependence. The dependent users tended to be divorced/widowed; not schizophrenic; and have higher SDS([Ch]) scores, a longer duration of use, and multiple-BZD use. The SDS([Ch]) for BZD dependence was shown to have high diagnostic utility (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve=0.779), a sensitivity of 80.5%, and a specificity of 85.7%, with a cutoff point of 7. The findings support that the SDS([Ch]) is a valid brief self-reported questionnaire for the assessment of BZD dependence among chronic users in Taiwan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jui-Hsiu
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Tze-Chun
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Yi-Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Yi-Hsin
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Tsang Hin
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: Shing-Yaw
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Cheng-Chung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines