Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To assess the performance of the Spanish version of a new screening tool (the SCOFF) for the detection of eating disorders (EDs) in primary care.
DESIGN
validation study. The psychiatric interview Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN) was used as the "gold standard." Blinding was applied to administration of the SCOFF and the clinical interview.
SETTING
six primary health care centers in Zaragoza and Huesca, Spain.
PARTICIPANTS
203 female patients, between the ages of 15 and 53 years, with a probable diagnosis of ED.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
validity as assessed by sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. In addition, test-retest reliability and the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve were calculated.
RESULTS
The best threshold point in the Spanish version was 2+ positive answers, the same as that recommended in the original British study. This cutoff point provided 97.7% sensitivity and 94.4% specificity for the detection of EDs in primary care. For each specific ED, sensitivity and specificity with this threshold point were, respectively, the following: bulimia, 97.8% and 94.4%; anorexia, 93.1% and 94.4%; and ED not otherwise specified (EDNOS), 100% and 94.4%.
CONCLUSIONS
The Spanish version of the SCOFF questionnaire shows excellent psychometric properties for the early detection of EDs in primary settings.
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