On 2015 Jul 14, Andrew Kewley commented:

The authors show that questionnaires and other diagnostic methods lead to statistical overlap (mush) and therefore conclude that this group of disorders can be re-branded as a spectrum called "ALPIM".

The sample group of this study is highly biased and cannot be generalised, so the question is, should this study be replicated with a community/population based study?

But in the big picture, what is there to gain from this?

Medicine demands specific criteria so that medical or psycho-social interventions can be targeted to those whom will benefit.

Yes, diagnostic measure and criteria for the underlying illnesses needs to become more specific to become more useful. But ALPIM does not offer specificity of diagnosis, nor specific treatments, therefore I don't really see this as a worthwhile direction.

On 2015 Jul 14, Andrew Kewley commented:

The authors show that questionnaires and other diagnostic methods lead to statistical overlap (mush) and therefore conclude that this group of disorders can be re-branded as a spectrum called "ALPIM".

The sample group of this study is highly biased and cannot be generalised, so the question is, should this study be replicated with a community/population based study?

But in the big picture, what is there to gain from this?

Medicine demands specific criteria so that medical or psycho-social interventions can be targeted to those whom will benefit.

Yes, diagnostic measure and criteria for the underlying illnesses needs to become more specific to become more useful. But ALPIM does not offer specificity of diagnosis, nor specific treatments, therefore I don't really see this as a worthwhile direction.