Assessing depression in palliative care patients using the visual analogue scale: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Oncology

Background:

• Depression is frequently underdiagnosed and untreated in terminally ill patients.
• Distinguishing depression from end-of-life sadness is difficult, and standard diagnostic criteria may not apply.
• Validated screening tools for depression in palliative care patients are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of a visual analogue scale (VAS) as a screening tool for depression in hospice patients.
• To assess the correlation between VAS scores and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in this population.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 25 patients admitted to a hospice.
• Administration of a 100-mm linear visual analogue scale (VAS).
• Comparison of VAS scores with the depression subscale and total score of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Main Results:

• The VAS demonstrated a good correlation with both the depression subscale and total HADS scores.
• The VAS was found to be quick and easy for most patients to complete.
• Preliminary evidence suggests VAS utility in screening for depression in advanced metastatic disease.

Conclusions:

• The visual analogue scale (VAS) may serve as a valuable screening tool for depression in palliative care patients.
• Further research with larger studies comparing VAS to clinical psychiatric interviews is warranted.
• Improved depression screening can facilitate timely treatment in terminally ill populations.