A Hindi Version of the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies

The validity of a Hindi version of the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies (DIGS) was investigated. The original English version was initially translated into Hindi. The Hindi version was then back-translated and compared with the original. Next, a group of psychiatric inpatients and outpatients were interviewed using the Hindi version. The resultant diagnoses were compared with those obtained for the same patients using a Hindi version of the Present State Examination (PSE), and the clinical diagnoses given by the treating psychiatrists. The DIGS diagnoses were significantly correlated with both the PSE diagnoses (Cohen's kappa = 0.80) and the clinical diagnoses (kappa = 0.56). Interrater reliability between three interviewers for diagnoses obtained using the Hindi version of the DIGS varied (kappa = 0.45-1.00). Possible causes for this variability are discussed. The Hindi version of the DIGS fulfills the need for a current comprehensive interview schedule not only for psychiatric genetic research in India, but also for nongenetic research.