[Depression in the aged: preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness, as an screening instrument, of the 5-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale].
BACKGROUND
The best approach to improve under-recognition of depression is routine screening, ideally using an instrument that is highly effective and easy to administer.


OBJECTIVE
To test the effectiveness of the 5-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (5-GDS) for depression screening in a community-dwelling Chilean elderly population.


METHODS
110 subjects were evaluated at the geriatric outpatient clinic of a university teaching hospital. Patients answered a questionnaire that included the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and demographic information. Using the 15-item GDS score as reference standard to classify subjects as depressed, test characteristics of the 5-GDS were evaluated.


RESULTS
Subjects had a mean 15-item GDS score of 5.4; 47% classified as depressed. Depressed and not depressed subjects were similar with regard to demographics, educational level and comorbid conditions. The mean score was 1.9 for the 5-item GDS. Pearson correlation for 15-item and 5-item GDS scores was 0.92, p < 0.001. Using 15-item GDS score as reference standard, the 5-item GDS had a sensitivity of 0.88, specificity 0.90, positive predictive value 0.88 and negative predictive value 0.90.


CONCLUSIONS
The 5-item GDS seems to be a promising screening tool for depression. If revalidated against clinical evaluation, it might be the preferred screening tool for depression in the Chilean community-dwelling elderly.
Hoyl
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Programa de Geriatría, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Lira 44, Santiago, Chile. mthoyl@med.puc.cl
Valenzuela
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Marín
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PP
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002677:Chile; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index