Components - 11 questions:
(1) depressed mood: 1, 3, 7, 8
(2) DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria for major depression: 2, 5, 6, 10, 11
(3) 2 items on helplessness-hopelessness and memory: 4, 9
Responses are yes or no.
0 points are given for positive responses and 1 for negative.
score =
= SUM(responses given which are associated with depression)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 11
Cutoffs for detection of depression:
• >= 3 (Koenig et al): sensitivity 83% and specificity 77%
• >= 4 (Gartner et al, as reported in Meldon et al): sensitivity 100% and specificity 85%
