Diagnosing depression in primary care: a Rasch analysis of the major depression inventory.

Scand J Prim Health Care

c Psychiatric Research Unit, Mental Health Centre North Zealand , University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen , Denmark.

Published: March 2019

Objective: This study aims to assess the measurement properties of the Major Depression Inventory (MDI) in a clinical sample of primary care patients.

Design: General practitioners (GPs) handed out the MDI to patients aged 18-65 years on clinical suspicion of depression.

Setting: Thirty-seven general practices in the Central Denmark Region participated in the study.

Patients: Data for 363 patients (65% females, mean age: 49.8 years, SD: 17.7) consulting their GP were included in the analysis.

Main Outcome Measures: The overall fit to the Rasch model, individual item and person fit, and adequacy of response categories were tested. Statistical tests for local dependency, unidimensionality, differential item functioning, and correct targeting of the scale were performed. The person separation reliability index was calculated. All analyses were performed using RUMM2030 software.

Results: Items 9 and 10 demonstrated misfit to the Rasch model, and all items demonstrated disordered response categories. After modifying the original six-point to a five-point scoring system, ordered response categories were achieved for all 10 items. The MDI items seemed well targeted to the population approached. Model fit was also achieved for core symptoms of depression (items 1-3) and after dichotomization of items according to diagnostic procedure.

Conclusion: Despite some minor problems with its measurement structure, the MDI seems to be a valid instrument for identification of depression among adults in primary care. The results support screening for depression based on core symptoms and dichotomization of items according to diagnostic procedure. Key points The Major Depression Inventory (MDI) is widely used for screening, diagnosis and monitoring of depression in general practice. This study demonstrates misfit of items 9 and 10 to the Rasch model and a need to modify the scoring system The findings support screening for depression based on core symptoms and dichotomization of items according to diagnostic procedure. Minor problems with measurement structure should be addressed in future revisions of the MDI.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6454403PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02813432.2019.1568703DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

primary care
12
major depression
12
depression inventory
12
rasch model
12
response categories
12
core symptoms
12
dichotomization items
12
items diagnostic
12
items
9
depression
8

Similar Publications

Background: Marathon training and running have many beneficial effects on human health and physical fitness; however, they also pose risks. To date, no comprehensive review regarding both the benefits and risks of marathon running on different organ systems has been published.

Main Body: The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive review of the benefits and risks of marathon training and racing on different organ systems.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Rethinking Leadership in Academic Medicine: Embracing a Broader Definition of Success.

J Gen Intern Med

January 2025

Research and Development Unit, Hammersmith and Fulham Primary Care Network, London, UK.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Active surveillance (AS) is the guideline-recommended treatment for low-risk prostate cancer and involves routine provider visits, lab tests, imaging, and prostate biopsies. Despite good uptake, adherence to AS, in terms of receiving recommended follow-up testing and remaining on AS in the absence of evidence of cancer progression, remains challenging.

Objective: We sought to better understand urologist, primary care providers (PCPs), and patient experiences with AS care delivery to identify opportunities to improve adherence.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune condition that damages the myelin sheath of neurons in the central nervous system, resulting in compromised nerve transmission and motor impairment. The astrocytopathy is considered one of the prominent etiological factor in the pathophysiology of demyelination in MS. The expression level of ceramide synthase-2 (CS-2) is yet to be established in the pathophysiology of astrocytopathy although the derailed ceramide biosynthetic pathways is well demonstrated in the pathophysiology of demyelination.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Evidence of antihypertensive drug-related problems (aDRP) is limited in Asian ambulatory care. To better detect aDRP without causing alert fatigue, we investigated whether adding more antihypertensive agents was associated with increasing aDRP risk and factors associated with physician acceptance of aDRP correction. We conducted a cross-sectional study targeting ambulatory prescriptions of Vietnamese patients with hypertension who either received standard therapy (using two or fewer medications, SdT) or standard plus add-on therapy (using more than two medications, SdT + add-on).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!