Diagnostic systems for schizophrenia. A cross-sectional study of concordance from India

In a cross-sectional study, five diagnostic systems for schizophrenia: CATEGO, Research Diagnostic Criteria, DSM-III, Feighner's Criteria, and Schneider's First Rank Symptoms, were evaluated for their usefulness, comprehensiveness and concordance, using a clinical diagnosis conforming to the ICD-9 concept of schizophrenia. The sample consisted of 112 patients. It was found that all the diagnostic systems had good agreement with the index diagnosis. The rate of concordance among the systems varied. The advantages and limitations of each system and its usefulness in Indian context are discussed.