Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Spanish version of the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia

BACKGROUND: The Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) is a valid tool to assess depression in schizophrenics and has been translated, adapted, and validated to be used in different non-English languages. Therefore, it may be predicted that a Spanish version of this scale will be also a valid instrument to assess symptoms of depression in patients with schizophrenia. OBJECTIVE: We determined the validity of the Spanish version of the Calgary scale (CDSS-S). METHODS: Outpatients and inpatients (n=93) diagnosed as having schizophrenia by DSM-IV criteria confirmed by SCID-IV interview were included. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17 and HDRS-21 items), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Extrapyramidal Symptoms Rating Scale (ESRS), and Barnes Acathisia Rating Scale were administered by a first rater, whereas the CDSS-S was assessed by a second independent rater. RESULTS: The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.83) and the interrater reliability (>0.73 intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] for single items and 0.92 for total score) were good. The test-retest reliability was high (ICC of 0.89). The scale showed a good construct validity with statistically significant correlations with HDRS-17, HDRS-21, MADRS, and G6 item (depression) of PANSS. The CDSS showed no correlation with the positive subscale of PANSS and a weak correlation with the negative subscale, general psychopathology subscale, and total score of PANSS. A cut point of five showed 94.7% sensitivity, 86.5% specificity, and 70% and 98% positive and negative predictive values, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of CDSS is a valid instrument to assess depressive episodes for stabilized and acute patients with schizophrenia.     

Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia: a study of the validity of a French-language version in a population of schizophrenic patients

The Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) is a nine-item structured interview scale developed by Addington et al. to assess depression in schizophrenics. This paper describes the testing of the reliability and validity of the French version of the CDSS in a population of 70 schizophrenic patients. The validity of the CDSS as a measure of depression was confirmed; a single factor accounted for 41 % of the variance of the nine items. The total score on the CDSS was strongly correlated with those on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and also the G6 item (depression) of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The correlation with the Psychomotor Retardation Scale (ERD) total score was much less significant and was better with the ‘subjective’ subscore. The internal consistency was good, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.79. A high level of inter-rater reliability was observed (weighted kappa values were >0.75 in all cases). The CDSS has a lower stability over time than other depression scales. It is a simple, quick and reliable scale for assessing depression in schizophrenic populations.     

The Greek version of the calgary depression scale for schizophrenia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity, as well as the specificity, of the Greek version of the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS). Schizophrenic inpatients consecutively admitted at the Eginition Hospital, University of Athens, were included in the study. Patients were assessed on admission using the CDSS, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Rating Scale for Extrapyramidal Side Effects (RSESE), the Rating Scale for Drug-Induced Akathisia (RSDIA) and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS). The CDSS was found to have a high inter-rater reliability, as well as test-retest reliability or split-half reliability. The internal consistency of the CDSS was good (a=0.87). There were positive correlations between the CDSS and the HDRS, or the depression cluster of the PANSS. The mean score on the CDSS showed no significant correlations with that of the PANSS negative subscale (r=0.123); a negative but not significant correlation with that of the PANSS positive subscale (r=-0.036); a weak correlation with that of the PANSS general psychopathology subscale (r=0.218); and no significant correlations with that of the RSESE (r=0.197), the RSDIA (r=0.160) or the AIMS (r=0.031). Our results give further support to the reliability, the validity, and the specificity of the CDSS.     

Evaluation of depression in schizophrenia: psychometric properties of a French version of the Calgary Depression Scale

The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties (especially validity and reliability) of the French language version of the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) in schizophrenic patients. Ninety-five subjects who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia were enrolled. The studies of the internal structural validity and of the reliability (internal consistency) showed that some items from the CDSS (early awakening and guilty ideas of reference) must be discussed in the constitution of this scale. The total score of the CDSS was significantly correlated with the MADRS total score, the HDRS total score, and the depression item (G6) on the PANSS, which suggests that the CDSS is a valid instrument for the assessment of depression in schizophrenia. The existence of a significant correlation between the CDSS total score and the PANSS positive sub-scale suggests a possible relationship between positive and depressive symptoms in schizophrenia.     

Validation of Turkish version of brief negative symptom scale

Objective: Negative symptoms in schizophrenia have been assessed by many instruments. However, a current consensus on these symptoms has been built and new tools, such as the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS), are generated. This study aimed to evaluate reliability and validity of the Turkish version of BNSS.

Methods: The scale was translated to Turkish and backtranslated to English. After the approval of the translation, 75 schizophrenia patients were interviewed with BNSS, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) and Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale (ESRS). Reliability and validity analyses were then calculated.

Results: In the reliability analysis, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.96 and item-total score correlation coefficients were between 0.655–0.884. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.665. The inter-rater reliability was 0.982 (p?Conclusions: Our study confirms that the Turkish version of BNSS is an applicable tool for the evaluation of negative symptoms in schizophrenia.     

The Japanese version of the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire: its reliability and validity for lifetime depression in a working population

We have developed a Japanese version of the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ), devised by Blatt et al., for assessing depression-prone personality and examined the questionnaire's reliability (test-retest reliability and internal consistency) and validity. To examine the questionnaire's validity, we evaluated its factorial validity and discriminant power for depression (i.e., construct validity). To test the construct validity of the DEQ with and without depression proneness, the scores on the DEQ subscales were compared between subjects with and without a lifetime history of major depressive disorder (MDD). The Inventory to Diagnose Depression, Lifetime version (IDDL), was used to identify lifetime depression. The reliability tests showed that the Japanese version has reliability almost similar to that of the original version. While the self-criticism has good reliability, the dependency appears to have only modest reliability. In the comparisons between subjects with and without lifetime histories of major depression, the former had significantly higher scores on the self-criticism dimension of the DEQ than did the latter, suggesting that the Japanese version of the DEQ, especially the self-criticism, may have the ability to distinguish individuals with lifetime depression from normal controls. We conclude that the DEQ is an acceptable instrument for assessing the depression-prone personality.     

The development and validation of a quality of life measure for the carers of people with Parkinson's disease (the PDQ-Carer)

BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) can have substantial effects not only on the quality of life of those diagnosedwith the condition but also upon the informal carers who provide support and assistance to them. However, to date no well-validated carer specific quality of life measure has been developed for carers of people with PD.ObjectiveThis paper documents the development and validation of a PD specific carer quality of life scale.MethodsIn depth interviews were undertaken with carers of people with PD. The interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically to derive a pool of potential items for the questionnaire. A pilot survey was used to refine the initial version of the questionnaire. A developmental survey was undertaken and the results analysed to produce the final 29-item measure. A validation survey was then undertaken to assess the construct validity and reliability of the measure.ResultsSurvey results suggest a 29-item questionnaire tapping four dimensions of quality of life (Social and Personal Activities, Anxiety and Depression, Self care, and Strain). Internal consistency reliability was found to be high for all domains. Data completeness was high. Construct validity (assessed by correlations with a generic measure of quality of life) confirmed prior hypotheses.ConclusionThe 29-item Parkinson Disease Questionnaire for Carers (PDQ-Carer) is a short, meaningful quality of life instrument, which taps areas of specific salience and concern to PD carers.     

The A-B neuropsychological assessment schedule (ABNAS): the further refinement of a patient-based scale of patient-perceived cognitive functioning

PURPOSE: To provide further evidence of the reliability and validity of the ABNAS as a measure of patient-perceived cognitive side effects of antiepileptic drug treatment. METHODS: The measure was developed specifically to assess patient-perceived cognitive side effects of antiepileptic drug treatment. Evidence of its reliability and validity has been previously documented and this evidence has been further extended by administration of a battery of 400 questionnaires to two groups (200 people with epilepsy, PWE; and 200 controls who do not have epilepsy). The questionnaire packs consisted of the ABNAS, HADS, the everyday memory questionnaire, and the Adverse Events Profile. Data were analysed using MAP-R and SPSS. RESULTS: Further evidence of the psychometric properties of the scale demonstrated that it had excellent reliability (Cronbach's alpha=0.96) and good face, congruent, content and construct validity. The sensitivity of the instrument was demonstrated through analysis of floor and ceiling levels. CONCLUSIONS: The ABNAS is a reliable, tool for the detection of cognitive impairments associated with epilepsy and its treatment. We have provided further evidence of its criterion validity. This measure has the potential to be a useful tool for both clinical practice and clinical trials.     

Cognitive Reactivity: Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Testing of the Persian Version of the Leiden Index of Depression Sensitivity Revised (LEIDS-R) in an Iranian Sample

Cognitive reactivity (CR) to the experimental induction of sad mood has been found to predict relapse in recovered depressed patients. The Leiden Index of Depression Sensitivity Revised (LEIDS-R) is a self-report measure of CR. The aim of the present study was to establish the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the LEIDS-R. The participants were recovered depressed and non-depressed Iranian individuals (n = 833). The analyses included content validation, factor analysis, construct validity, and reliability testing. Preliminary construct validation analysis confirmed that factor analysis was appropriate for the Persian version of the LEIDS-R. Factor analysis displayed similar factor loadings to the original English version. The total internal consistency of the translated version, which was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, was equal to 0.90. The test-retest reliability of the total score was equal to that of the test-retest conducted after a two-week interval at 0.94. Content validity, face validity, and construct validity, as well as reliability analysis were all found to be satisfactory for the Persian version of the LEIDS-R. The Persian version of the LEIDS-R appears to be valid and reliable for use in future studies, and has properties comparable to the original version and to that obtained in previous studies.     

A new validation of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression

This paper investigates the reliability and validity of a Spanish version of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (17-item version) which has good concurrent (r = 0.82) and content (average frequency = 62%) validity. Inter-rater reliability (r = 0.99), split-half reliability (r = 0.89) and alpha reliability (r = 0.72) are acceptable. A Factor Analysis identified five factors accounting for 56% of total variance.     

Reliability, validity, and temporal stability of the geriatric depression scale in hospitalized elderly

The reliability, validity, and temporal stability of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were studied in sixty-nine elderly patients who had their broken hips surgically repaired. The GDS demonstrated internal consistency reliability and concurrent validity with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. In addition, the GDS was stable across the hospital stay and thus appeared to be less influenced by the patients' acute health status.     

Evaluation of the psychometric characteristics of the Spanish version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

OBJECTIVE: To assess the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS). METHOD: We administered HADS to 685 participants (256 controls and 429 patients with five different diagnoses). The reliability of the instrument was assessed by a test-retest study. Construct validity studies were carried out through item-subscale correlation and factor analysis for the whole group and by each of the five different diagnoses. Three instruments were used as external criteria to assess concurrent validity. RESULTS: HADS test-retest reliability presented correlation coefficients above 0.85. The internal consistency was high, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.86 (anxiety) and 0.86 (depression). Factor analysis showed a clear two-factor structure for all groups. The results showed high concurrent validity with the Beck Depression Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and with the mental domains of the Short-Form Health Survey. CONCLUSION: The Spanish version of the HADS demonstrated good reliability and validity when used in medical patients.     

Reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Scale for the Assessment of Thought,Language, and Communication

BackgroundOur study aimed to assess the inter-rater and test-retest reliability, as well as concurrent and convergent validity, of the Korean version of the Scale for the Assessment of Thought, Language, and Communication (TLC scale).MethodsThe factor solutions and psychometric properties of the Korean version of the TLC scale were evaluated among 167 schizophrenia inpatients (study subjects) at two sites in South Korea. Using Pearson’s correlation, the concurrent and convergent validities of each of the factor solutions were represented by the correlations with the scores on the Clinical Language Disorder Rating Scale, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale, and Calgary Depression Scale. Using receiver operating characteristics curves, the optimal cut-off score for the Korean version of the TLC scale to distinguish between study subjects with and without disorganized speech, was identified.ResultsThe results showed that the Korean version of the TLC scale has a three-factor solution: fluent disorganization, speech emptiness, and speech peculiarity. In addition, the interrater reliability of the Korean version of the TLC scale was moderately good (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.51) and its test-retest reliability was very good (Pearson’s correlation coefficient = 0.94). For detecting the current presence of disorganized speech, the optimal cut-off total score on the TLC scale was proposed to be 8 points (sensitivity = 88.1%; specificity = 82.9%).LimitationsPsychometric tools covering cognitive functions were not used in our study.ConclusionsThe Korean version of the TLC scale is a promising psychometric method for examining formal thought disorder (FTD) and disorganized speech in schizophrenia patients.     

Small signal, big noise: performance of the CIDI depression module.

OBJECTIVES: With the release of data from the Canadian Community Health Survey: Mental Health and Well-Being (Cycle 1.2), researchers have, for the first time, information on several psychiatric disorders from a nationally representative sample of Canadians residing in households. This survey used the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) to identify persons with one or more psychiatric disorders. In this paper, our primary purpose was to evaluate the evidence supporting the validity of the CIDI--that is, the extent to which the depression diagnoses generated by the CIDI reflect true cases of depression. METHOD: We conducted a critical review of the CIDI, focusing on the depression module. RESULTS: Reliability studies indicate that the CIDI performs reliably, as measured by interrater reliability. However, the use of different versions of the CIDI and the occasional exclusion of the Depression module from studies suggest that the reliability of the CIDI Depression module remains unconfirmed. The most critical issue in regard to the CIDI's performance is that clinical samples are used to test validity. A clinical sample has a higher prevalence of depression than a community sample. CONCLUSION: The results generated by the CIDI in a community setting likely will have a high false-positive rate, resulting in a falsely elevated prevalence rate. Given the widespread application of the CIDI internationally, addressing the outstanding concerns about validity with proper validation studies should become an international priority.     

Assessment of memory complaint in age-associated memory impairment: the MAC-Q.

Few brief self-report memory questionnaires are available, and non has been well validated. We designed a brief questionnaire, the MAC-Q, to assess age-related memory decline. Validity and reliability of the MAC-Q were assessed in 232 subjects meeting diagnostic criteria for age-associated memory impairment (AAMI). Concurrent validity of the MAC-Q was supported by a significant correlation (r = .41, p < .001) with a lengthy, well-validated memory questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis indicated that memory test scores were significant predictors of MAC-Q scores. MAC-Q scores were not predicted by Hamilton Depression Scale scores, suggesting that memory complaint in AAMI is not related to affective status. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the MAC-Q were satisfactory. Our data support the validity and reliability of the MAC-Q, a new brief memory questionnaire. The MAC-Q is of particular relevance to the assessment of AAMI, but should also prove useful in any clinical or research setting requiring a brief index of memory complaint.     

The Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale in New Zealand adolescents

OBJECTIVE: To examine aspects of the reliability and validity of the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale (RADS) in measuring depression in New Zealand adolescents of all major ethnic groups. METHOD: A sample of 9699 randomly selected New Zealand secondary school students participated in the Youth2000 Health and Wellbeing Survey which included the RADS. Data from this survey have been used to assess some aspects of the reliability and validity of the RADS in the New Zealand context across different ethnic groups. Cronbach's alpha, item-total score correlations, correlation to other questions and a factor analysis were done in order to examine the internal reliability, content validity, convergent validity and construct validity of the data and compare to the original Reynolds validation study. RESULTS: Tests of the scale resulted in scores over 0.90 on Cronbach's alpha and high item-total score correlations, with a median correlation of 0.62 and 25 of the 30 correlations measuring more than 0.5. The scores were found to have similar factor structure to the original scale and the correlations to other depression related questions indicate acceptable concurrent validity. CONCLUSIONS: On all of the tests conducted, the RADS was found to have acceptable reliability and validity for New Zealand adolescents across the major different ethnic groups, indicating that it is a valid and appropriate instrument to use with New Zealand adolescents.     

Diagnostic validity of assessment scales for depression in patients with schizophrenia

The aim of this study was to examine the diagnostic validity of four commonly used assessment scales for depression in schizophrenia. The study population consisted of 84 inpatients meeting the DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia. Depression in the study subjects was defined by the DSM-IV criteria for major depressive episode. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Simpson-Angus Rating Scale (SARS) were used to differentiate depression from the negative and extrapyramidal symptom-related depressive phenomena in schizophrenia. The following four depression scales were assessed for their diagnostic validity as measures of depressive disorder in schizophrenia: the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), and the depression subscale of the PANSS (PANSS-D). Of 84 patients with schizophrenia, 32 were diagnosed as having comorbid depressive disorder. The areas under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves of the CDSS, HAM-D, PANSS-D, and BDI were 0.94, 0.89, 0.90, and 0.81, respectively. The area under the ROC curve of the CDSS was significantly greater than that of the BDI and tended to be more favorable than those for the HAM-D and the PANSS-D. Our study suggests that the CDSS may provide the best assessment for depression in patients with schizophrenia.     

Development and psychometric evaluation of a Japanese scale to assess depression severity: Himorogi Self-Rating Depression Scale

Abstract

Objective. The 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) is the most widely used instrument to assess depression severity, but it has a number of limitations in clinical use. There is no depression scale designed for Japanese culture that has been shown to be valid. This study aimed to develop a Japanese depression scale, the Himorogi Self-rating Depression Scale (HSDS), and to assess psychometric properties of it. Methods. Data were collected using the HSDS and the HAMD-17 from 204 outpatients of psychiatric clinics. Follow-up data were collected three times with an interval of at least 4 weeks, and reliability and validity were longitudinally observed. Results. Principal component analysis found a uni-factorial nature for both scales. The HSDS indicated stronger factor coefficients and a larger variance than the HAMD-17. ROC analysis showed high ability to distinguish between the presence and absence or remission of depression. High convergent validity and reliability coefficients were consistently indicated. Conclusions. Although the convenience sample restricts generalisability of the findings and only a single instrument was used as a standard for comparison, reliability and validity for the HSDS was supported. The HSDS is suggested as a substitute for the HAMD-17 in clinical use.