Validierung einer neuen Skala zur operationalisierten Erfassung von formalen Denkstörungen

In the recent years, a number of interview based clinical rating scales were established in order to assess different dimensions of formal thought disorder in psychiatric patients, but until now, there has not been one in German. The current 30-item clinical rating scale is based on a detailed and systematic review of the literature, encompassing all relevant psychopathological formal thought disorders reported from Kraepelin until today. Moreover, subjective as well as objective items were included in the rating scale. Patients with schizophrenia (n=64), depression (n=64) and mania (n=20) underwent a semi-structured clinical interview. A principal component analysis was performed to investigate the possible existence of different syndromes within formal thought disturbances. The results of the principal component analysis suggested four different factors. The dichotomy between the controversially discussed disorganized, positive syndrome as opposed to negative FTD can be supported. Within the complex and to some part heterogeneous symptom complex of FTD different factors were also found for objective phenomena as opposed to subjective items. The scale revealed good psychometric results which makes it a practicable and well-suited instrument for the detailed assessment of FTD. The results moreover strengthen the importance of the assessment of subjective symptoms reported by the patient.