The Chinese version of the Severity of Dependence Scale as a screening tool for benzodiazepine dependence in Taiwan

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.