title: Urdu translation of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression: Results of a validation study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a standardized validated version of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) in Urdu.
  
  
  METHODS
  After translation of the HAM-D into the Urdu language following standard guidelines, the final Urdu version (HAM-D-U) was administered to 160 depressed outpatients. Inter-item correlation was assessed by calculating Cronbach alpha. Correlation between HAM-D-U scores at baseline and after a 2-week interval was evaluated for test-retest reliability. Moreover, scores of two clinicians on HAM-D-U were compared for inter-rater reliability. For establishing concurrent validity, scores of HAM-D-U and BDI-U were compared by using Spearman correlation coefficient. The study was conducted at Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from May to December 2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Cronbach alpha for HAM-D-U was 0.71. Composite scores for HAM-D-U at baseline and after a 2-week interval were also highly correlated with each other (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.83, p-value < 0.01) indicating good test-retest reliability. Composite scores for HAM-D-U and BDI-U were positively correlated with each other (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.85, p < 0.01) indicating good concurrent validity. Scores of two clinicians for HAM-D-U were also positively correlated (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.82, p-value < 0.01) indicated good inter-rater reliability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HAM-D-U is a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of Depression. It shows good inter-rater and test-retest reliability. The HAM-D-U can be a tool either for clinical management or research.
authors.affiliation: Ali M. Hashmi, MBBS, MD, Diplomate American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Ali M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hashmi
authors.affiliation: Shahana Naz, M.Sc., M.Phil (Psychology) Research Associate, Department of Psychiatry, King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shahana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naz
authors.affiliation: Aftab Asif, MBBS, MRCPsych. Professor and Chairman, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Aftab
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Asif
authors.affiliation: Imran S. Khawaja, MD, FAASM., Medical Director, Center for Sleep Medicine, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology, VA Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. UT Southwestern School of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: Imran S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Khawaja
keywords: Depression; Rating scale; Urdu version; Validation study