Publications by authors named "R C Ziegelstein"
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how using small datasets to select an optimal cutoff score for the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) can lead to inaccurate results.
- Researchers evaluated whether data-driven methods for cutoff selection resulted in scores that were significantly different from the true population optimal score and if these methods produced biased accuracy estimates.
- Findings showed that many small studies frequently failed to identify the correct optimal cutoff score, particularly in smaller samples, leading to an overestimation of test sensitivity.
Article Synopsis
- The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), commonly used to gauge depression in older adults, shows that a score of ≥5 identifies higher prevalence (34.2%) compared to the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID) which shows a lower prevalence (14.8%).
- An analysis of data from 14 studies involving over 3,600 participants found that using GDS-15 with a cutoff of ≥8 aligns much closer to SCID results, with only a minor difference (-0.3%).
- While GDS-15 ≥5 greatly overestimates depression prevalence, the suggested cutoff of ≥8 might be more accurate but has too much variation to be reliably implemented; hence, validated diagnostic
Objectives: To use individual participant data meta-analysis (IPDMA) to estimate the minimal detectable change (MDC) of the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) and to examine whether MDC may differ based on participant characteristics and study-level variables.
Study Design And Setting: This was a secondary analysis of data from an IPDMA on the depression screening accuracy of the GDS. Datasets from studies published in any language were eligible for the present study if they included GDS-15 scores for participants aged 60 or older.
Article Synopsis
- * Statistically significant differential item functioning (DIF) was found for most questionnaire items, but this had minimal impact on total scores.
- * Researchers and clinicians can choose the administration method based on what works best for patients, considering preferences, feasibility, or cost, as score differences were negligible.