Use of the Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories for Primary Care with medical outpatients

Author(s): Steer, R. A., Ball, R., Ciervo, C. A., Kabat, M.

Journal/Book: Assessment. 1997; 4: PO Box 998, Odessa, FL 33556. Psychological Assessment Resources Inc. 211-219.

Abstract: The effectiveness of the Beck Anxiety (BAI-PC) and Depression (BDI-PC) Inventories for Primary Care for discriminating 56 primary care patients with and without revised, third edition Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R) diagnosed anxiety and mood disorders was studied. The Anxiety and Mood modules from the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) were used to establish diagnoses. The coefficient alphas for the BAI-PC and BDI-PC were, respectively, .90 and .88. A BAI-PC cutoff score of 5 and above yielded the highest clinical efficiency (82%) with 85% sensitivity and 81% specificity for identifying patients with and without panic, generalized anxiety, or both disorders, whereas a BDI-PC cutoff score of 6 and above afforded the highest clinical efficiency (92%) with 83% sensitivity and 95% specificity for detecting patients with and without major depressive disorders. The use of these instruments to screen primary care patients before conducting extensive diagnostic evaluations with them was discussed.

Note: Article Steer RA, Univ Med & Dent New Jersey, Sch Osteopath Med, Dept Psychiat, 40 E Laurel Rd, PCC 218, Stratford,NJ 08084 USA

Keyword(s): SYMPTOMS

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