title: The use of rating scales to identify post-natal depression.
abstract: One hundred and forty-seven mothers were screened for major depression at six to eight weeks post-partum. Using predetermined cut-off points, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Beck scale were compared in their abilities to identify the 15% of subjects who had major depression according to DSM-III criteria. The sensitivity of Edinburgh scale was 95% and its specificity 93%. The performance of the Beck scale was markedly inferior, with a sensitivity of 68% and specificity of 88%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Huckle
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johns
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010556:Personality Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology