Reliability and validity of anxiety screening scale

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Anxiety is a common disorder, but its diagnosis is often overlooked. Although there are several evaluating instruments, they are difficult to use in busy outpatient clinics because of its length. Furthermore, scales developed for screening are insufficient in the standardization. The purpose of this study is to measure reliability and validity of scale that can efficiently detect the anxiety patients in busy primary care setting. METHODS: With translation and assistance from psychiatrist, the questionnaire was developed. From March to July 2000, anxiety and control group at the department of family medicine in Seoul Joongang Hospital were tested with the questionnaire. After one week later, test was retaken. Reliability was verified by calculating Kappa value. Also validity was verified by comparing the scores between the anxiety group and the control group. Then sensitivity and specificity were evaluated, and the cutoff point was determined. RESULTS: Kappa values were ranging from 0.65 to 0.88. For each cutoff point 3, 4, 5, and 6 in total items, sensitivities were 99%, 97%, 82%, 64% and specificities were 55%, 75%, 94%, 98%, respectively. CONCLUSION: We translated an Goldberg's anxiety screening scale and estimated its reliability and validity. As the purpose was screening, we determined score 5 as the best cutoff points.