hospital anxiety amd depression scale AAA: a simple and rapid instrument for evaluation of depression in psychiatric settings

ABSTRACT

The utility of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS] as screening instrument for depression in psychiatric settings in Pakistan was investigated. Method:A two stage screening procedure involved the use of HADS against the ICD-10 Disc Criteria for Research and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HRSD]. Results:Sensitivity for depression sub-scale of HADS was 95%, specificity 93%, false negative rate 5% and false positive rate 7%. A correlation of +0.39 [p<0.005] between scores of depression on HADS and HRSD was calculated. Conclusion:The HADS is a valid measure for screening 'caseness' of depression in psychiatric settings as well. It could usefully be employed by the researchers for rapid evaluation of depression among the psychiatric patients