title: Validity of the Sinhala version of the centre for epidemiological studies depression scale (CES-D) in out-patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To translate and validate the Sinhala version of the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D) for diagnosing depression in out-patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A combined qualitative and quantitative approach was used for the translation of the CES-D. Sample size was calculated to detect a targeted sensitivity and specificity of 85%. The sample consisted of 75 participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder according to DSM IV criteria and 75 gender matched controls. Criterion validity was assessed using receiver operating charact-eristic (ROC) analysis. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-II) conducted by a psychiatrist was used as the gold standard.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of the sample was 33 years. There were 91 females (60.7%). There was significant difference in the mean CES-D scores between cases (13.94) and controls (6.58) [t=14.50, df=148, p<0.001]. A score of ≥ 16 gave a sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 92%. A score of ≥ 21 gave a sensitivity of 73.3% and specificity of 96%. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.93. The four items that were reverse coded had poor correlation with total scores. The average correlation coefficient for the reverse-scored items was 0.35 and for the rest of the items 0.63. Principal component analysis with oblique rotation identified four factors. Factor 1 corresponds to the "depressed affect" and "somatic complaints" in the original model proposed by Radloff. Factor 2 corresponds to the interpersonal concerns. Factors 3 and 4 loaded the reversed coded items.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Sinhala version of the CES-D is a valid and reliable instrument for diagnosing major depressive disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. varunidesilva2@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: de Silva
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ekanayake
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hanwella
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014177:Translations