The symptom checklist-revised (SCL-90-R) is able to discriminate between simulation and fibromyalgia

This study assessed the ability of the Symptom Checklist‐Revised (SCL‐90‐R) to discriminate between two groups of fibromyalgia patients (those who were about to begin a treatment including the explicit aim of returning to work and those who were initiating a legal procedure to obtain permanent disability compensation) and two groups of healthy volunteers (medical students and psychology graduates), who were asked to produce a symptomatic resemblance to a chronic pain disorder. Logistic regression analyses were applied to the SCL‐90‐R subscales and individual probabilistic indices of simulation were calculated. Results showed that the SCL‐90‐R was able to discriminate between healthy subjects and both groups of patients with a high sensitivity and specificity. The individual indices of simulation, which might be more useful in clinical practice than the comparison of the SCL‐90‐R profiles, also showed an appropriate level of accuracy. Inc. J Clin Psychol: 66: 1–17, 2010.