Beck depression inventory (BDI) and hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D) in patients with epilepsy

Guilherme Nogueira M. de Oliveira, Gerardo Maria de Araujo Filho, Arthur Kummer, João Vinícius Salgado, Eduardo Jardel Portela, Sílvio Roberto Sousa-Pereira, Antônio Lucio Teixeira

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To determine cutoff points of highest sensitivity and specificity on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) for depression diagnosis in epilepsy. Methods: Seventy-three patients from a referral center for the treatment of epilepsy underwent neuropsychiatric evaluation. We collected clinical and socio-demographic data, and applied the following instruments: Structured Clinical Interview (MINI-PLUS) for psychiatric diagnosis according to DSM-IV, HAM-D and BDI. Results: At assessment, 27.4% of the patients were depressed and 37% met diagnostic criteria for lifetime major depression. The ROC curve analysis indicated that a score > 16 on the BDI (94.4% sensitivity, 90.6% specificity) and > 16 on the HAM-D (95% sensitivity, 75.5% specificity) revealed great dichotomy between depressed and nondepressed patients. Both instruments showed a negative predictive value exceeding 95%. Conclusion: The frequency of major depression is elevated in patients with epilepsy. BDI and HAM-D can help physicians in the identification of depression in epilepsy, reducing its underdiagnosis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)131-134
Number of pages4
JournalJornal Brasileiro de Psiquiatria
Volume60
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Beck depression inventory
  • Depression
  • Diagnosis
  • Epilepsy
  • Hamilton depression rating scale

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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