Prevalence rates of major depressive disorders - the effects of varying the diagnostic criteria in an older primary care population

Author(s): Callahan, C. M., Levitt, E. E., Hui, S. L., Musick, B., Austrom, M. G., Nurnberger, J. I., Tierney, W. M.

Journal/Book: Amer J Geriatr Psychiatr. 1995; 3: 1400 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005. Amer Psychiatric Association. 119-131.

Abstract: Patients age 60 years and older (N = 3,767) were screened for depression using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). A random sample of patients scoring greater than or equal to 16 on the CES-D (n = 44) and of patients scoring < 16 (n = 81) were recruited to complete a structured psychiatric interview. The estimated prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD), using a clinically derived diagnosis with the ''etiological'' method, was 1.78%. When a computer-generated algorithm for MDD using the ''inclusive'' method for counting somatic symptoms was applied, the estimated prevalence for MDD rose to 5.84%. All subjects with MDD diagnosed by any method had significantly higher scores on the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), compared with nondepressed subjects.

Note: Article HC Hendrie, Indiana Univ, Sch Med, Dept Psychiat, 541 Clin Dr, Room 298, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA

Keyword(s): MEDICAL OUTPATIENTS; STATUS QUESTIONNAIRE; INSTRUMENT; INTERVIEW; SYMPTOMS; SCHEDULE

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