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Screening for Major Depression in the Early Stages of Multiple Sclerosis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Michael J.L. Sullivan ,
Brian Weinshenker ,
Samuel Mikail  and
Scott R. Bishop
Michael J.L. Sullivan*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax
Brian Weinshenker
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester
Samuel Mikail
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, The Rehabilitation Centre, Halifax
Scott R. Bishop
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University, Halifax
*
Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4JI
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Abstract

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Background

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is associated with a high risk of developing major depression, but depression in MS patients frequently goes undetected and untreated. The current study examined the clinical utility of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) as a screening measure for major depression in newly diagnosed MS patients.

Methods

Forty-six new referrals to an MS clinic completed the BDI and participated in a structured interview for major depression, within 2 months of the diagnosis of MS.

Results

According to DSM-III-R criteria, 40% of patients were diagnosed with major depression, 22% had adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and 37% showed no evidence of mood disorder. Sensitivity and specificity values, and positive and negative predictive values are reported for every BDI cut-off score between 9 and 21.

Conclusions

A BDI cut-off score of 13 (sensitivity = .71, specificity = .79) is recommended as optimal for use in screening for major depression in newly diagnosed MS patients. The use of the BDI as a screening measure for major depression must proceed with caution given that a cut-off score of 13 still yielded a false-negative rate of 30%.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , August 1995 , pp. 228 - 231
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1995

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