# #

MANAGEMENT OF MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER IN ADULTS
Appendix 1.  Assessment Instruments

  • Symptoms of Depression - Screening Instruments

    Multiple screening tools are now available that are potentially easy to use in primary care settings.  The following tools are reproduced for consideration in local settings; they are arranged from shortest to longest.  Information on sensitivity and specificity of each screener are provided:

    1. PRIME MD Primary Care Evaluations of Mental Disorders – Depression questions (2 items).
    2. CES-D Center for Epidemiological Studies – Depression scale - (5 items)
    3. Zung Depression Rating Scale (21 items)
    4. MOS Medical Outcomes Study - depression questions (4 items)
    5. Ham-D Hamilton Depression Scale (21 items)

    1. Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders: PRIME MD - depression questions (2 questions)

      Question Yes or No
      1. During the past month, have you often been bothered by feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?

       
      2. During the past month, have you often been bothered by little interest or pleasure in doing things?

       



    2. Center for Epidemiological Studies – Depression Scale (CES-D)

      5-item brief version developed as screening instrument for patients of all ages and 60 or over:

      For each of the following, please indicate how often you felt that way during the past week, using the following ratings (Total score of 4 or more is a positive depression screen):

      Score for questions 1 - 4 only

      Rarely or none of the time (less than one day)

      0

      Some or a little of the time (1 to 2 days)

      1

      Moderately or much of the time (3 to 4 days)

      2

      Most or almost all the time (5 to 7 days)

      3

      Item # Question Score
      1. I felt that I could not shake off the blues even with help from my family or friends 0   1   2   3
      2. I felt depressed 0   1   2   3
      3. I felt fearful 0   1   2   3
      4. My sleep was restless 0   1   2   3

      Score for question 5 only

      Most of the time

      0

      Moderately or much of the time

      1

      Some of the time

      2

      Rarely

      3

      5. I felt hopeful about the future. 0   1   2   3

      This screening instrument is derived from the CES-D (Lewinsohn, et al., 1997). 


    3. Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (21 items)

      Patient Name_________________________________Age_________Sex_________ Date______________

      INSTRUCTIONS:

      Read each sentence carefully.  For each statement, check the bubble in the column that best corresponds to how often you have felt that way during the past two weeks.  For statement 5 and 7, if you are on a diet, answer as if you were not.

      Please check a response for each of the 20 items. None OR a Little of the Time Some of the Time Good Part of the Time Most OR All of the Time
      1.   I feel downhearted, blue, and sad [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]
      2.   Morning is when I feel the best [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]
      3.   I have crying spells or feel like it [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]
      4.   I have trouble sleeping through the night [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]
      5.   I eat as much as I used to [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]
      6.   I enjoy looking at, talking to, and being with attractive women/men [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]
      7.   I notice that I am losing weight [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]
      8.   I have trouble with constipation [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]
      9.   My heart beats faster than usual [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]
      10.   I get tired for no reason     [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]
      11.   My mind is as clear as it used to be [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]

      12.   I find it easy to do the things I used to do

      [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]

      13.   I am restless and can’t keep still

      [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]

      14.   I feel hopeful about the future

      [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]

      15.   I am more irritable than usual

      [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]

      16.   I find it easy to make decisions

      [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]

      17.   I feel that I am useful and needed

      [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]

      18.   My life is pretty full

      [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]

      19.   I feel that others would be better off if I were dead

      [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]

      20.   I still enjoy the things I used to do

      [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ]
      W.W.K. Zung, 1965, 1974, 1989, 1991. Al Rights Reserved


    4. Medical Outcomes Study Depression Questionnaire

      Recommended screening instrument for patients age under age 60:

      This four-item screener recommended is also part of the evaluation package and has empirical support demonstrating its specificity and sensitivity (Rost, Burnam, Smith, 1993).  It may be administered as a paper and pencil measure, as a computer assessment package, or assessed by the clinician.

      Medical Outcomes Study: MOS Depression Questionnaire

      Item Question Response/Score
      A.

      In the past year, have you had two consecutive weeks or more during which you felt sad, blue, or depressed, or when you lost all interest or pleasure in things that you usually cared about or enjoyed?

      YES

      NO
      B.

      Have you had two years or more in your life when you felt depressed or sad most days even if you felt okay sometimes?

      YES

      NO
      C.

      Have you felt depressed or sad much the time in the past year?

      YES

      NO
      D.

      How much of the time in the past week did you feel depressed?

       Score
      less than one day 0
      one or two days 1
      three or four days 2
      more than four days 3
          1, 2, OR 3 – positive screen

      Positive Screen: the patient must indicate yes on question A OR yes on both questions B AND C, AND score 1, 2, or 3 on question D to be positive.

      NOTE:  If the answers to both questions A and C are NO, then the patient does not meet screening criteria for MDD even question D scores one or more. (currently depressed).  Another diagnosis, such as dysthymia, may be appropriate but is outside the scope of this algorithm.  Similarly, if the answer to question D is “less than one day” then the patient does not meet the screening criteria for MDD even if one or more of the earlier answers are “yes.”

      If the patient screening criteria for MDD is positive, then move on to a more intensive assessment on the algorithm.  (Whooley, et al., 1997)

      Evidence supports the sensitivity and specificity of the MOS Depression questions as a screening instrument for MDD in community and medical settings. (Rost K, Burnam MA, Smith GR, 1993) QE = II-2, SR = B



    5. The Hamilton Rating Scale For Depression (clinician administered)

      Patient’s Name _______________________________________

      Date of Assessment ___________________________________

      To rate the severity of depression in patients who are already diagnosed as depressed, administer this questionnaire.  The higher the score, the more severe the depression.

      For each item, write the correct number on the line next to the item.  (Only one response per item)



      _____

      1

      DEPRESSED MOOD (Sadness, hopeless, helpless, worthless)
      0= Absent
      1= These feeling states indicated only on questioning
      2= These feeling states spontaneously reported
      3= Communicates feeling states non-verbally—i.e., through facial expression, posture,
            voice, and tendency to weep
      4= Patient reports VIRTUALLY ONLY these feeling states in his spontaneous verbal and
            non-verbal communication

      _____

      2

      FEELINGS OF GUILT
      0= Absent
      1= Self reproach, feels he has let people down
      2= Ideas of guilt or rumination over past errors or sinful deeds
      3= Present illness is a punishment. Delusions of guilt
      4= Hears accusatory or denunciatory voices and/or experiences threatening visual
            hallucinations

      _____

      3

      SUICIDE
      0= Absent
      1= Feels life is not worth living
      2= Wishes he were dead or any thoughts of possible death to self
      3= Suicidal ideas or gesture
      4= Attempts at suicide (any serious attempt rates 4)

      _____

      4

      INSOMNIA EARLY
      0= No difficulty falling asleep
      1= Complains of occasional difficulty falling asleep—i.e., more than ½ hour
      2= Complains of nightly difficulty falling asleep

      _____

      5

      INSOMNIA MIDDLE
      0= No difficulty
      1= patient complains of being restless and disturbed during the night
      2= Waking during the night—any getting out of bed rates 2 (except for purposes of voiding)

      _____

      6

      INSOMNIA LATE
      0= No difficulty
      1= Waking in early hours of the morning but goes back to sleep
      2= Unable to fall asleep again if he gets out of bed

      _____

      7

      WORK AND ACTIVITIES
      0= No difficulty
      1= Thoughts and feeling of incapacity, fatigue or weakness related to activities; work or
            hobbies
      2= Lost of interest in activity; hobbies or work—either directly reported by patient, or indirect
            in listlessness, indecision and vacillation (feels he has to push self to work or
            activities)
      3= Decrease in actual time spent in activities or decrease in productivity
      4= Stop working because of present illness

      _____

      8

      RETARDATION: PSYCHOMOTOR (Slowness of thought and speech; impaired ability to concentrate; decreased motor activity)
      0= Normal speech and thought
      1= Slight retardation at interview
      2= Obvious retardation at interview
      3= Interview difficult
      4= Complete stupor

      _____

      9

      AGITATION
      0= None
      1= Fidgetiness
      2= Playing with hands, hair, etc.
      3= Moving about, can’t sit still
      4= Hand wringing, nail biting, hair-pulling, biting of lips

      _____

      10

      ANXIETY (PSYCHOLOGICAL)
      0= No difficulty
      1= subjective tension and irritability
      2= worrying about minor matters
      3= Apprehensive attitude apparent in face or speech
      4= Fears expressed without questioning

      _____

      11

      ANXIETY SOMATIC: Physiological concomitants of anxiety, (i.e., effects of autonomic overactivity, “butterflies,” indigestion, stomach cramps, belching, diarrhea, palpitations, hyperventilation, paresthesia, sweating, flushing, tremor, headache, urinary frequency).
      Avoid asking about possible medication side effects (i.e., dry mouth, constipation)
      0= Absent
      1= Mild
      2= Moderate
      3= Severe
      4= Incapacitating

      _____

      12

      SOMATIC SYMPTOMS (GASTROINTESTINAL)
      0= None
      1= Loss of appetite but eating without encouragement from others. Food intake about
            normal
      2= Difficulty eating without urging from others. Marked reduction of appetite and food
            intake

      _____

      13

      SOMATIC SYMPTOMS GENERAL
      0= None
      1= Heaviness in limbs, back or head. Backaches, headache, muscle aches. Loss of energy
            and fatigability
      2= Any clear-cut symptom rates 2

      _____

      14

      GENITAL SYMPTOMS (Symptoms such as: loss of libido; impaired sexual performance; menstrual disturbances)
      0= Absent
      1= Mild
      2= Severe

      _____

      15

      HYPOCHONDRIASIS
      0= Not present
      1= Self-absorption (bodily)
      2= Preoccupation with health
      3= Frequent complaints, requests for help, ect.
      4= Hypochondriacal delusions

      _____

      16

      LOSS OF WEIGHT
      A. When rating by history:
      0= No weight loss
      1= Probably weight loss associated with present illness
      2= Definite (according to patient) weight loss
      3= Not assessed

      _____

      17

      INSIGHT
      0= Acknowledges being depressed and ill
      1= Acknowledges illness but attributes cause to bad food, climate, overwork, virus, need for
            rest, etc.
      2= Denies being ill at all

      _____

      18

      DIURNAL VARIATION
      Note whether symptoms are worse in morning or evening. If NO diurnal variation, mark none
      0= No Variation
      1= Worse in A.M.
      2= Worse in P.M

      B. When Present, mark the severity of the variation. Mark “None” if NO variation
      0= None
      1= Mild
      2= Severe

      _____

      19

      DEPERSONALIZATION AND DEREALIZATION (Such as: Feelings of unreality; Nihilistic ideas)
      0= Absent
      1= Mild
      2= Moderate
      3= Severe
      4= Incapacitating

      _____

      20

      PARANOID SYMPTOMS
      0= None
      1= Suspicious
      2= Ideas of reference
      3= Delusion of reference and persecution

      _____

      21

      OBSESSIONAL AND COMPULSIVE SYMPTOMS
      0= Absent
      1= Mild
      2= Severe

      Total Score_________

      Adapted from Hedlung and Vieweg, (1979). The Hamilton rating scale for depression, Journal of Operational Psychiatry,10(2), 149-165.


  • Functional Status Measures

    1. Global Assessment of Function (GAF)

      The following 0 to 100 scale (100 = maximum functioning) is the metric recommended by the American Psychological Association for measuring functional impairment due to mental disorders (DSM-IV).

      Code (Note: Use intermediate codes when appropriate, e.g., 45, 68, 72.)
      100
      91
      Superior functioning in a wide range of activities, life’s problems never seem to get out of hand, is sought out by others because of his or her many positive qualities. No symptoms.
      90

      81
      Absent or minimal symptoms (e.g., mild anxiety before an exam), good functioning in all areas, interested and involved in a wide range of activities, socially effective, generally satisfied with life, no more than everyday problems or concerns (e.g., an occasional argument with family members).
      80

      71
      If symptoms are present, they are transient and expected reactions to psychosocial stressors (e.g., difficulty concentrating after family argument); no more than slight impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., temporarily falling behind in schoolwork).
      70

      61

      Some mild symptoms (e.g., depressed mood and mild insomnia) OR some difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., occasional truancy, or theft within the household), but generally functioning pretty well, has some meaningful interpersonal relationships.

      60

      51

      Moderate symptoms (e.g., flat affect and circumstantial speech, occasional panic attacks) OR moderate difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., few friends, conflicts with peers or coworkers).

      50

      41

      Serious symptoms (e.g., suicidal ideation, severe obsessional rituals, frequent shoplifting) OR any serious impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., no friends, unable to keep a job).

      40

      31

      Some impairment in reality testing or communications (e.g., speech is at times illogical, obscure, or irrelevant) OR major impairment in several areas, such as work or school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood (e.g., depressed man avoids friends, neglects family, and is unable to work; child frequently beats up younger children, is defiant at home, and is failing at school).

      30

      21

      Behavior is considerably influenced by delusions or hallucinations OR serious impairment in communications or judgment (e.g., sometimes incoherent, acts grossly inappropriately, suicidal preoccupation) OR inability to function in almost all areas (e.g., stays in bed all day; no job, home, or friends).

      20

      11

      Some danger of hurting self or others (e.g., suicide attempts without clear expectation of death; frequently violent; manic excitement) OR occasionally fails to maintain minimal personal hygiene (e.g., smears feces) OR gross impairment in communication (e.g., largely incoherent or mute).

      10

      1

      Persistent danger of severely hurting self or others (e.g., recurrent violence) OR persistent inability to maintain minimal personal hygiene OR serious suicidal act with clear expectation of death.

      0

      Inadequate information.

      This rating of overall psychological functioning on a scale of zero to 100 was implemented by Luborsky in the Health-Sickness Rating Scale (Luborsky L: Clinicians Judgments of Mental Health.  Archives of General Psychiatry 7:407-17. 1962)).  Spitzer and colleagues developed a revision of the Health-Sickness Rating Scale called the Global Assessment Scale (GAS): A Procedure for Measuring Overall Severity of Psychiatric Disturbance. Archives of General Psychiatry 33: 766-71. 1976). A modified version of the GAS was included in DSM-III-R as the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale.

    2. SF-36 Quality of Life

    3. The Short Form 36 (SF-36) is a research tool used for quantifying functional status.  It is offered here to illustrate useful questions for assessing functioning in potentially depressed patients.  Generally, the need for computerized scoring precludes its routine clinical use.

      Instructions:

      This survey asks for your views about your health. This information will help keep track of how you feel and how well you are able to do your usual activities.

      Answer every question by selecting the answer as indicated.  If you are unsure about how to answer a question, please give the best answer you can.

      1. In general, would you say your health is:
      Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor
      [  ] [  ]  [  ] [  ] [  ]
      2. Compared to one year ago, how would
          you rate your health in general now?

      Much
      better
      now

      Somewhat
      better
      now

      About the
      same
      now
      Somewhat
      worse
      now
      Much
      worse
      [  ] [  ] [  ] [  ] [  ]
      3. The following questions are about activities you might do during a typical day.
           Does your health now limit you in these activities?  If so, how much?
       
      Yes,
      limited
      lot

      Yes,
      limited
      a little

      No, not
      limited
      at all

      Vigorous activities, such as running, lifting heavy objects, participating in
      strenuous sports

      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]

      Moderate activities, such as moving a table, pushing a vacuum cleaner,
      bowling, or playing golf

      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]

      Lifting or carrying groceries

      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]

      Climbing several flights of stairs

      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]

      Climbing one flight of stairs

      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]

      Bending, kneeling, or stooping

      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]

      Walking more than a mile

      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]

      Walking several blocks

      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]

      Walking one block

      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]

      Bathing or dressing yourself

      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]

      4. During the past 4 weeks, have you had any of the following problems with your work or other regular daily activities as a result of your physical health?
        Yes No
      Cut down on the amount of time you spent on work or other activities [  ] [  ]

      Accomplished less than you would like

      [  ] [  ]

      Were limited in the kind of work or other activities

      [  ] [  ]

      Had difficulty performing the work or other activities (for example, it took extra effort)

      [  ] [  ]

      5.  During the past 4 weeks, have you had any of the following problems with your work or other regular daily activities as a result of any emotional problems (such as feeling depressed or anxious)?
        Yes No
      Cut down on the amount of time you spent on work or other activities [  ] [  ]

      Accomplished less than you would like

      [  ] [  ]

      Didn’t do work or other activities as carefully as usual

      [  ] [  ]
      6. During the past 4 weeks, to what extent has your physical health or emotional problems interfered with your normal social activities with family, friends, neighbors, or groups?
       
      Not at all
      Slightly
      Moderately
      Quite a bit
      Extremely
      [  ]
      [  ] 
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      7. How much bodily pain have you had during the past 4 weeks?
       
      None
      Very
      Mild
      Mild
      Moderate
      Severe
      Very
      Severe
      [  ]
      [  ] 
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      8. During the past 4 weeks, how much did pain interfere with your normal work (including both work outside the hope and housework)?
       
      Not at all
      Slightly
      Moderately
      Quite a bit
      Extremely
      [  ]
      [  ] 
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      9. These questions are about how you feel and how things have been with you during the past 4 weeks.  For each question, please give the one answer that comes closest to the way you have been feeling.

      How much of the time during the past 4 weeks...

      All of
      the time
      Most of
      the time
      A good
      bit of
      the time
      Some of
      the time
      A little of
      the time
      None of
      the time
      Did you feel full of pep?
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      Have you been a very nervous person?
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      Have you felt so down in the dumps that nothing could cheer you up?
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      Have you felt calm and peaceful?
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      Did you have a lot of energy?
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      Have you felt downhearted and blue?
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      Did you feel worn out?
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      Have you been a happy person?
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      Did you feel tired?
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      [  ]
      10. During the past 4 weeks, how much time has your physical health or emotional problems interfered with your social activities (like visiting friends, relatives, etc.)?
      &n