Is the 6-item, self-report HAM-D an effective depression screening measure with bipolar disorder?

Purpose: Brief and effective screening measures are required to detect clinical depression in bipolar disorder (BD) patients. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the clinical utility of a six-item, self-report Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-6).

Design And Method: Sixty BD outpatients completed questionnaires including the HAMD-6 before regular psychiatric appointments.

Findings: A 7+ HAMD-6 cut-off score correctly identified six of eight depressed patients, indicating 75% sensitivity and 84% specificity.

Practice Implications: The results of this study suggest the HAMD-6 is an effective depression screening measure with BD patients living in the community. This brief self-report scale can be used in clinical settings to quickly identify those requiring more thorough clinical attention.