title: The diagnosis of major depression in patients with cancer: a comparative approach.
abstract: Depressive symptoms not only impair quality of life in cancer patients but constitute an independent risk factor for increased mortality. In order to accurately and efficiently identify depression in cancer patients, the authors developed a biostatistical strategy to identify items of the 21-item, observer-rated Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (Ham-D) that would optimize the diagnosis of depression among cancer patients. Exhibiting a relatively high sensitivity and specificity, our most optimal diagnostic tool contained six Ham-D items (late insomnia, agitation, psychic anxiety, diurnal mood variation, depressed mood, and genital symptoms). This study may serve as a prototype to generate valid instruments accurate for the diagnosis of major depression in other populations of cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Woodruff Research Memorial Building, 101 Woodruff Circle, Suite 4000, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Dominique L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Musselman
authors.forename: Amita K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Manatunga
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gilles
authors.forename: Kathryn C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.forename: Maryfrances R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: J Stephen
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: McDaniel
authors.forename: Charles B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Nemeroff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001699:Biometry / Q000379:methods; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity