Predicting prognosis by means of the DSM-III multiaxial diagnoses

This clinically based retrospective study compares the DSM-III multiaxial characteristics of psychiatric inpatient and outpatient treatment-seekers with those of workmen's compensation and disability payment-seekers. It shows that 1. the groups were significantly different in their DSM-III multiaxial characteristics; 2. multiaxial diagnoses statistically predicted clinical psychiatrists' estimations of disability applicants prognosis for work; and 3. payment-seekers were more likely than treatment-seekers to have Axis II personality disorders in addition to their Axis I diagnoses.