Dimensional assessment of endogenous depression based on a polydiagnostic approach

A dimensional classification according to the decisiveness of the diagnosis of endogenous depression is proposed, based on a polydiagnostic approach using latent-trait models (Rasch model). The instrument is derived from a sample of 130 depressed patients, and a cross-validation of this instrument is reported in a sample of 87 patients with major depressive episode. The utility of this scale in biological research is discussed.