title: Taxometric analysis of DSM-IV and DSM-5 alcohol use disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With preparations currently being made for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th Edition (DSM-5), one prominent issue to resolve is whether alcohol use disorders are better represented as discrete categorical entities or as a dimensional construct. The purpose of this study was to investigate the latent structure of DSM-4th edition (DSM-IV) and proposed DSM-5 alcohol use disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used the Wave 2 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) to conduct taxometric analyses of DSM-IV and DSM-5 alcohol use disorders defined by different thresholds to determine the taxonic or dimensional structure underlying the disorders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DSM-IV and DSM-5 alcohol abuse and dependence criteria with 3+ thresholds demonstrated a dimensional structure. Corresponding thresholds with 4+ criteria were clearly taxonic, as were thresholds defined by cut-offs of 5+ and 6+ criteria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DSM-IV and DSM-5 alcohol use disorders demonstrated a hybrid taxonic-dimensional structure. That is, DSM-IV and DSM-5 alcohol use disorders may be taxonically distinct compared to no disorder if defined by a threshold of 4 or more criteria. However, there may be dimensional variation remaining among non-problematic to subclinical cases. A careful and systematic program of structural research using taxometric and psychometric procedures is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD 20740, United States.
authors.forename: Bradley T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Kerridge
authors.forename: Tulshi D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gmel
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rehm
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000145:classification* / Q000523:psychology*; D015982:Bias; D002965:Classification; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult