title: Detection of depression in elderly hospitalized patients in emergency wards in France using the CES-D and the mini-GDS: preliminary experiences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mini-GDS and the CES-D as instruments to detect depression in elderly hospitalized patients in emergency wards in France.
  
  
  METHODS
  The CES-D was used on two cohorts of 60 non-cognitively impaired patients aged 70 or more. The mini-GDS was also used on the second of the two cohorts administered by a medical intern. These ratings were compared with a diagnosis of depressive disorder by ICD-10 criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population had a high (58%) prevalence of depression and a low level of active psychiatric referral. Mini-GDS and CES-D scores were well correlated (0.72, p < 0.001); the mini-GDS, with a cutoff score of 1, gave optimum sensitivity (88%) and specificity (63%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of the mini-GDS may aid the detection of depression in patients in emergency wards.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Esquirol, Limoges, France. shupsy@unilim.fr
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Clement
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fray
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paycin
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Leger
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Therme
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dumont
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity