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A Systematic Review of the Clinimetric Properties of the 6-Item Version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale

N Timmerby1, J H Andersen, S Søndergaard

  • 1Psychiatric Research Unit, Mental Health Centre North Zealand, University of Copenhagen, Hillerød, Denmark.

Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
|May 11, 2017
PubMed

Insights

The 6-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D6) demonstrates superior clinimetric properties compared to the HAM-D17 and MADRS. Consistent use of HAM-D6 can improve depression severity assessment across diverse settings.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry and Mental Health
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychometrics

Background:

  • The 6-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D6) was developed from the 17-item version (HAM-D17) to identify items reflecting global depression severity.
  • HAM-D6 has been widely adopted in clinical research since its derivation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and compare the clinimetric properties of HAM-D6 against HAM-D17 and the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was performed across PubMed, PsycInfo, and EMBASE databases.
  • Studies included reported on the clinimetric validity of HAM-D6 versus HAM-D17 or MADRS in non-psychotic unipolar or bipolar depression.
  • The review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Main Results:

  • Out of 681 unique records, 51 articles met the inclusion criteria for the review.
  • HAM-D6 demonstrated superior scalability, transferability, and responsiveness compared to both HAM-D17 and MADRS.
  • Scalability indicates unique information per item on severity; transferability signifies consistency across demographics and subtypes; responsiveness highlights sensitivity to treatment-induced changes.

Conclusions:

  • Published literature indicates that HAM-D6 possesses superior clinimetric properties over HAM-D17 and MADRS.
  • The demonstrated validity of HAM-D6 in research and clinical practice supports its broader and more consistent application.
  • Increased consistent use of HAM-D6 can enhance the translation of depression assessment findings between research and clinical settings.
Abstract

Keywords:
6-Item Hamilton Depression Rating ScaleAntidepressant medicationClinimetricsDepression rating scaleSystematic literature review

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