[Comparison between DSM III and CIM 9 in the data processing on computerized system. Study of 4000 records].

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Medical Informatics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Military psychiatry utilizes a centralized data system (S.D.P.A.) for epidemiological programming.
• The military's homogeneous structure and large sample sizes are conducive to psychiatric epidemiology.
• The study evaluates the confrontation between ICD 9 and the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III).

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the utility and effectiveness of ICD 9 and DSM-III in a military psychiatric setting.
• To identify strengths and weaknesses of DSM-III's Axis I, III, IV, and V compared to ICD 9.
• To assess the impact of classification systems on epidemiological data collection and clinical utility.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from a collected data system (S.D.P.A.) applied in 18 military psychiatric services.
• Conducted a comparative analysis of ICD 9 and DSM-III classifications.
• Evaluated statistical biases and information gain from both systems.

Main Results:

• DSM-III's Axis I demonstrated a superior logical structure compared to ICD 9.
• DSM-III's Axes III, IV, and V resulted in disappointment due to statistical biases and limited information gain.
• The previous system (applied since 1976) was found to be more efficient than DSM-III for certain aspects.

Conclusions:

• DSM-III offers advantages in Axis I but shows limitations in Axes III, IV, and V for military psychiatric epidemiology.
• The acceptability and reliability of DSM-III in this context require further investigation.
• Modifications to the system are proposed, with a project initiated from 1989 to improve its application.