Not as golden as standards should be: interpretation of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression.
BACKGROUND
The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) is one of the most frequently used instruments in antidepressant trials.


METHODS
We examined different recommendations for classification of subjects according to depression severity by the HRSD.


RESULTS
Several differences between recommendations were identified leading to the conclusion that a consensus on interpretation is largely missing.


CONCLUSIONS
Brief narrative review.


CONCLUSIONS
Widely accepted standards for the interpretation of scores on the HRSD are needed.
Kriston
Levente
L
Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Martinistr. 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany. l.kriston@uke.uni-hamburg.de
von Wolff
Alessa
A
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents