Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
08:25
Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
Published on: December 6, 2024
A short screen for depression: the AB Clinician Depression Screen (ABCDS)
D William Molloy1, Timothy I Standish, Sacha Dubois
1St. Peter's Centre for Studies in Aging, St. Peter's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. wmolloy@stpetes.ca
International Psychogeriatrics
|April 28, 2006
Summary
A new five-question depression screen accurately identifies elderly patients with depression. This rapid screening tool can replace longer instruments, improving clinical efficiency for geriatric depression assessment.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Depression is prevalent in older adults.
- Current screening tools are lengthy, hindering physician adoption.
- A need exists for a brief, effective depression screening instrument for the elderly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a short screening instrument for depression in older adults.
- To assess the efficacy of a five-question screen compared to a standard 30-question scale.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 810 geriatric outpatients (age ≥ 55, SMMSE score ≥ 20).
- Analyzed scores from the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).
- Employed receiver operating curve analysis to identify key questions correlating with depression (GDS ≥ 14).
Main Results:
- A five-question composite screen, the AB Clinician Depression Screen (ABCDS), was developed.
- The question "Do you often feel downhearted and blue?" showed the highest correlation (r = 0.64, p < 0.001).
- The ABCDS demonstrated high positive (97%) and negative (96%) predictive values for depression.
Conclusions:
- The five-question ABCDS effectively screens for depression in older adults with normal cognition to early dementia.
- This brief instrument can be used in place of the longer GDS scale, enhancing clinical workflow.
- The ABCDS facilitates rapid identification or exclusion of depression in geriatric populations.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Assessment of apical radial pulse
Apical-Radial (A-R) Pulse Assessment
The A-R pulse assessment involves simultaneous evaluation of the apical and radial pulses. When the apical and radial pulse rates vary, this assessment helps identify a pulse deficit.
Pre-Procedural Preparation
The A-R pulse assessment involves simultaneous evaluation of the apical and radial pulses. When the apical and radial pulse rates vary, this assessment helps identify a pulse deficit.
Pre-Procedural Preparation
01:14SBAR II: Application of SBAR
SBAR is an effective communication tool used by healthcare professionals to communicate patient information accurately. SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. For a better understanding, an example is given below.
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...
01:18Depression: Overview
Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
01:27Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) serves as the primary classification system for mental health disorders, providing standardized diagnostic criteria for clinicians and researchers. First published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1952, the DSM has undergone several revisions to reflect evolving psychiatric understanding. The fifth edition, DSM-5, released in 2013, introduced key updates that expanded diagnostic categories and modified diagnostic...
01:28Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
IntroductionThe management of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) aims to minimize myocardial damage, preserve myocardial function, and prevent complications.Initial ManagementInpatient management involves continuous cardiac monitoring, preferably in an ICU, focusing on blood pressure, serum sodium, potassium, and creatinine levels, and urine output. Ongoing pharmacologic management is crucial for stabilizing the patient.Supplemental Oxygen: Administer supplemental oxygen if oxygen saturation is...
01:27Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia
Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...