Validity and reliability of the Minimum Data Set Depression Rating Scale (MDSDRS) for older adults in nursing homes.
OBJECTIVE
this research examined the psychometric properties of the Minimum Data Set Depression Rating Scale for use among older adults living in nursing homes.


METHODS
interviews with 145 older adults in three nursing homes were conducted to complete the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Information relevant to completing the Minimum Data Set Depression Rating Scale was gathered from the Minimum Data Set.


RESULTS
the Minimum Data Set Depression Rating Scale did not perform well when validated against the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Minimum Data Set Depression Rating Scale cut-off levels of > or =2 and > or =3 were associated with relatively low total score correlations and sensitivity rates, but acceptable specificity.


CONCLUSIONS
findings suggest that the Minimum Data Set Depression Rating Scale may be of limited clinical value to identify depression among older adults living in nursing homes.
Anderson
Rachel L
RL
College of Public Health, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, E202 GH, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. rachel-anderson@uiowa.edu
Buckwalter
Kathleen C
KC
Buchanan
Robert J
RJ
Maas
Meridean L
ML
Imhof
Sara L
SL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003625:Data Collection; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015203:Reproducibility of Results