[Psychometric value of CES-D scale for the assessment of depression in Polish population]

The assessment of usefulness of the CES-D scale in the Polish population was studied.

50 patients with depression and 150 healthy men and women selected from the general population were examined. In a group of depressed patients the results of the CES-D scale were compared with the Beck scale. The best CES-D cut-off score was defined. Sensitivity and specificity of the CES-D scale in the relation to clinical diagnosis of depression for healthy men and women and depression patients were calculated. Further factor analysis was done and the results were compared with results previously published for North American populations.

High reliability of the CES-D scale (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.92), significant correlation (r = 0.79) and moderate agreement (Kappa Cohen coefficient = 0.44) with the Beck scale was reported. It seems that CES-D cut-off score of 16 is adequate for diagnosis of depression. Sensitivity and specificity of the CES-D scale in the relation to clinical diagnosis of depression were respectively 86% and 77%.

Therefore it is well suitable for detecting depression in the Polish population and its results are similar to those obtained for North American populations.