Parameters:
(1) number of parents with a history of depression
(2) number of parents
(3) number of siblings with a history of depression
(4) number of siblings
number of family members who are depressed =
= (number of parents who are depressed) + (number of siblings who are depressed)
number of family members who can be evaluated =
= (number of parents) + (number of siblings
FLSD =
= (number of family members who are depressed) / (number of family members)
where:
• The children of a proband were excluded since a child of young age may be counted as nondepressed only to develop depression later.
• It may be possible to expand the score to include grandparents and other close relatives.
• It may also be possible to calculate for any depression versus severe depression.
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 1
• A high FLSD may be associated with childhood depression, recurrent depression and other findings.
Limitations:
• A patient with no family information or only small numbers of first-degree relatives may be difficult to model.
• The presence of step parents and step siblings may introduce problems.
