Usage of diagnostic questionnaire for depressive patients versus center for epidemiologic studies of depression scale in breast cancer patients.

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the agreement and differences between Diagnostic Questionnaire for Depressive Patients according to 10th revision of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).

Methods: Participants were 115 breast cancer female patients recruited in specialised cancer hospital radiotherapy unit. Depression was measured with CES-D, 20-item self-report scale designed to measure depressive symptoms in community. Score of >/= 16 indicated clinically relevant depression. Depression was also measured with Diagnostic Questionnaire for Depressive Patients based on the criteria of 10th revision of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems.

Results: By using Diagnostic Questionnaire for Depressive Patients we established that of 115 patients 47 (40.9%) fulfils the criteria for depressive episode and that in the division by type of depressive episode 5 (10.6%) has mild, 22 (46.8%) has moderate and 20 (42.5%) has severe depressive episode. By CES-D 42 (36.5%) patients were considered clinically depressive. Kappa coefficient shows good agreement between two measures (kappa=0.799; p=0.000).

Conclusion: CES-D and Diagnostic Questionnaire for Depressive Patients show good agreement in assessment of depression but in clinical setting assessment should be made with diagnostical instruments as Diagnostic Questionnaire for Depressive Patients.