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Screening for depression among acutely ill geriatric inpatients with a short Geriatric Depression Scale
1Department of Psychiatry, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, Isleworth, Middlesex, UK.
Background:
Depression is not uncommon among acutely ill geriatric inpatients.
Method:
The performances of shorter versions of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) in screening for depression among acutely ill geriatric inpatients were examined.
Results:
A cut-off of 2/3 gives the best sensitivity (88%) and specificity (75%) for the 10-item version (GDS10). A cut-off of 0/1 gives the best sensitivity (72%) and specificity (90%) for the 4-item version (GDS4). A positive response to item 6 ("Do you often feel helpless?") on the GDS10 gave a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 75%. Patients found the GDS10 tolerable and acceptable.
Conclusion:
Both shorter versions of the GDS may be utilized in screening for depression among acutely ill geriatric inpatients.