A comparison of alternative assessments of depressive symptom severity: a pilot study

Psychiatry Res. 2000 Nov 20;96(3):269-79. doi: 10.1016/s0165-1781(00)00235-3.

Abstract

This study compared the performance of an itemized symptom self-report (Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Self-Report; IDS-SR), patient global ratings, and clinician global ratings with an itemized clinician-rated symptom severity measure (Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Clinician-Rated; IDS-C) in detecting treatment effects in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). A total of 28 inpatients (30.8% psychotic) and 34 outpatients (17.9% psychotic) with MDD began treatment that followed the Texas medication algorithm. The clinicians completed the IDS-C and a Physician Global Rating Scale (PhGRS) at each assessment visit, while the patients completed the IDS-SR and a Patient Global Rating Scale (PtGRS). Change scores from the baseline to subsequent weeks were computed for all subjects, utilizing all four measures. The IDS-SR was a significant independent predictor of the response to treatment as compared to the two global ratings. The IDS-SR was as sensitive to change as the IDS-C. While the clinician-rated itemized symptom severity rating scale remains the standard to assess the symptomatic outcome of the treatment of MDD, a self-report of identical symptomatology may be a reasonable alternative for many patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Corrected and Republished Article

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Algorithms
  • Depression / diagnosis*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / drug therapy*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / methods*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Prognosis
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / standards*
  • Psychotropic Drugs / therapeutic use*
  • Self-Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Texas

Substances

  • Psychotropic Drugs