Diagnosis of depression among adolescents--a clinical validation study of key questions and questionnaire.
BACKGROUND
The objective of the study is to improve general practitioners' diagnoses of adolescent depression. Major depression is ranked fourth in the worldwide disability impact.


METHODS
Validation of 1) three key questions, 2) SCL-dep6, 3) SCL-10, 4) 9 other SCL questions and 5) WHO-5 in a clinical study among adolescents. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) is to be used as the gold standard interview. The project is a GP multicenter study to be conducted in both Norway and Denmark. Inclusion criteria are age (14-16) and fluency in the Norwegian and Danish language. A number of GPs will be recruited from both countries and at least 162 adolescents will be enrolled in the study from the patient lists of the GPs in each country, giving a total of at least 323 adolescent participants.


CONCLUSIONS
The proportion of adolescents suffering from depressive disorders also seems to be increasing worldwide. Early interventions are known to reduce this illness. The earlier depression can be identified in adolescents, the greater the advantage. Therefore, we hope to find a suitable questionnaire that could be recommended for GPs.
Haavet
Ole R
OR
Institute of General Practice and Community Medicine University of Oslo, Blindern, Oslo, Norway. o.r.haavet@medisin.uio.no
Christensen
Kaj S
KS
Sirpal
Manjit K
MK
Haugen
Wenche
W
D000293:Adolescent; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires