RESUMEN
Objective: To develop a standardized validated version of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HAM-D] in Urdu
Methods: After translation of the HAM-D into the Urdu language following standard guidelines, the final Urdu version [HAM-D-U] was administered to 160 depressed outpatients. Inter-item correlation was assessed by calculating Cronbach alpha. Correlation between HAM-D-U scores at baseline and after a 2-week interval was evaluated for test-retest reliability. Moreover, scores of two clinicians on HAM-D-U were compared for inter-rater reliability. For establishing concurrent validity, scores of HAM-D-U and BDI-U were compared by using Spearman correlation coefficient. The study was conducted at Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from May to December 2014
Results: The Cronbach alpha for HAM-D-U was 0.71. Composite scores for HAM-D-U at baseline and after a 2-week interval were also highly correlated with each other [Spearman correlation coefficient 0.83, p-value < 0.01] indicating good test-retest reliability. Composite scores for HAM-D-U and BDI-U were positively correlated with each other [Spearman correlation coefficient 0.85, p < 0.01] indicating good concurrent validity. Scores of two clinicians for HAM-D-U were also positively correlated [Spearman correlation coefficient 0.82, p-value < 0.01] indicated good inter-rater reliability
Conclusion: The HAM-D-U is a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of Depression. It shows good inter-rater and test-retest reliability. The HAM-D-U can be a tool either for clinical management or research