Validation of the Spanish version of the EURO-D Scale: an instrument for detecting depression in older people

TY - JOUR

T1 - Validation of the Spanish version of the EURO-D Scale: an instrument for detecting depression in older people

AU - Larraga, L

AU - Saz, P

AU - Dewey, M E

AU - Marcos, G

AU - Lobo, A

PY - 2006/12

Y1 - 2006/12

N2 - Objective To standardize the EURO-D scale as a method for detecting depression in Spanish older people. Methods In a first phase, a sample of 1080 community older people was assessed with the GMS-AGECAT by lay interviewers. In a second phase, all the probable cases and a similar number of randomly selected probable noncases were assessed using DSM-III-R diagnosis by psychiatrists. To test reliability, internal consistency with the Cronbach alpha coefficient and test-retest reliability (Kappa value) were obtained. Validity, sensitivity and specificity, predictive values, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, and Specific Likelihood Ratios (SSLR) were calculated. Results A high internal consistency was obtained in both phases of the study (alpha =0.75; alpha = 0.79, respectively). Test-retest reliability was acceptable (weighted kappa = 0.60). For the prediction of DSM-III-R diagnosis validity coefficients (cut-off point 3/4) were: sensitivity 91.8%, specificity. 76.6% and area under the ROC curve 0.92 [95% Confidence Intervals (0.89-0.95)]. Illiteracy and cognitive difficulties had a small negative effect on the performance of the scale. Conclusions The EURO-D scale is a reliable and valid instrument for detecting probable cases of depression in older people in Spain. Illiteracy and cognitive difficulties should be considered when interpreting the results. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

AB - Objective To standardize the EURO-D scale as a method for detecting depression in Spanish older people. Methods In a first phase, a sample of 1080 community older people was assessed with the GMS-AGECAT by lay interviewers. In a second phase, all the probable cases and a similar number of randomly selected probable noncases were assessed using DSM-III-R diagnosis by psychiatrists. To test reliability, internal consistency with the Cronbach alpha coefficient and test-retest reliability (Kappa value) were obtained. Validity, sensitivity and specificity, predictive values, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, and Specific Likelihood Ratios (SSLR) were calculated. Results A high internal consistency was obtained in both phases of the study (alpha =0.75; alpha = 0.79, respectively). Test-retest reliability was acceptable (weighted kappa = 0.60). For the prediction of DSM-III-R diagnosis validity coefficients (cut-off point 3/4) were: sensitivity 91.8%, specificity. 76.6% and area under the ROC curve 0.92 [95% Confidence Intervals (0.89-0.95)]. Illiteracy and cognitive difficulties had a small negative effect on the performance of the scale. Conclusions The EURO-D scale is a reliable and valid instrument for detecting probable cases of depression in older people in Spain. Illiteracy and cognitive difficulties should be considered when interpreting the results. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

U2 - 10.1002/gps.1642

DO - 10.1002/gps.1642

M3 - Article

SN - 1099-1166

VL - 21

SP - 1199

EP - 1205

JO - International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

JF - International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

IS - 12

ER -