World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview

World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview

The World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) is a comprehensive, fully structured interview designed to be used by trained interviewers for the assessment of mental disorders according to the definitions and criteria of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

Development

The CIDI was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the United States National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The development of the CIDI was part of a larger effort to create standardized diagnostic tools that could be used across different countries and cultures to facilitate international research on mental health.

Structure

The CIDI is structured into modules that correspond to different categories of mental disorders. Each module contains a series of questions that assess the presence of symptoms and the criteria necessary for a diagnosis according to the ICD and DSM systems. The interview is designed to be administered by trained lay interviewers, making it suitable for large-scale epidemiological studies.

Versions

There are several versions of the CIDI, including the CIDI 1.0, CIDI 2.0, and the CIDI 3.0. Each version has been updated to reflect changes in the diagnostic criteria of the ICD and DSM. The CIDI 3.0, for example, includes modules that align with the DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria.

Applications

The CIDI is widely used in epidemiological studies to assess the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders in the general population. It has been used in major international studies such as the World Mental Health Survey Initiative, which aims to provide data on the global burden of mental disorders.

Advantages

One of the main advantages of the CIDI is its ability to provide reliable and valid diagnoses across different cultural contexts. The structured nature of the interview ensures consistency in the administration and scoring of the diagnostic criteria.

Limitations

While the CIDI is a powerful tool for epidemiological research, it is not intended to replace clinical judgment. The structured format may not capture the nuances of individual cases, and it requires careful training of interviewers to ensure accurate administration.

See also

• International Classification of Diseases
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
• World Health Organization
• Epidemiology of mental disorders