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Clinical validation of the Psychotic Depression Assessment Scale (PDAS) against independent global severity ratings in older adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 March 2018

Tom Vermeulen Open the ORCID record for Tom Vermeulen [Opens in a new window] ,
Lieve Lemey ,
Linda Van Diermen ,
Didier Schrijvers ,
Yamina Madani ,
Bernard Sabbe ,
Maarten J.A. Van Den Bossche ,
Roos C. van der Mast  and
Søren D. Østergaard
Tom Vermeulen*
Affiliation:
University Psychiatric Hospital Duffel, Duffel, Belgium Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
Lieve Lemey
Affiliation:
General Hospital Sint Jan Brugge-Oostende AV, Brugge, Belgium
Linda Van Diermen
Affiliation:
University Psychiatric Hospital Duffel, Duffel, Belgium Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
Didier Schrijvers
Affiliation:
University Psychiatric Hospital Duffel, Duffel, Belgium Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium Department of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
Yamina Madani
Affiliation:
University Psychiatric Hospital Duffel, Duffel, Belgium
Bernard Sabbe
Affiliation:
University Psychiatric Hospital Duffel, Duffel, Belgium Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
Maarten J.A. Van Den Bossche
Affiliation:
Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium Medical Centre Sint Jozef, Munsterbilzen, Belgium
Roos C. van der Mast
Affiliation:
Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
Søren D. Østergaard
Affiliation:
Psychosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
*
Author for correspondence: Tom Vermeulen, Psychiatric Hospital Duffel, Stationsstraat 22c, 2570 Duffel, Belgium. Tel: 0032 15 304974; Fax: 0032 15 304047;E-mail: tom.vermeulen@emmaus.be
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Abstract

Objectives

According to a recent study, ratings on the Psychotic Depression Assessment Scale (PDAS) obtained via a dedicated semi-structured interview are valid measures of the severity of psychotic depression. This study aimed to further test the validity, scalability and responsiveness of the PDAS in older adults using independent ratings on the Clinical Global Impression Scale – Severity (CGI-S) and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) as references.

Methods

Ratings were performed at admission and discharge at two old age psychiatric wards in Flanders, Belgium. In total, 62 older adults (mean age: 74.3 years) with psychotic depression were included. The PDAS was rated by trained nurses using the semi-structured PDAS interview. Senior psychiatrists scored the participants on the CGI-S. Psychologists or experienced nurses rated participants on the MADRS. Clinical validity was assessed by correlating the PDAS total scores with CGI-S ratings and MADRS total scores. Mokken analysis was performed to assess the scalability of the PDAS. Responsiveness was assessed by comparing the proportion of participants in remission (PDAS total score <8 at study baseline and endpoint).

Results

The Spearman correlation coefficients were 0.76 and 0.79 for the PDAS versus CGI-S and PDAS versus MADRS, respectively. The Mokken analysis yielded a Loevinger coefficient of 0.46, which is indicative of scalability. At admission, no participants met the PDAS remission criterion. At discharge, 54% (95% confidence interval: 47%–60%) of the patients met this criterion.

Conclusion

The PDAS appears to be a clinically valid, scalable and responsive measure of the severity of psychotic depression in older adults.

Keywords

affective disorderdelusionsdepressionpsychosis

Information

Type
Original Article
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 30 , Issue 4 , August 2018 , pp. 203 - 208
Copyright
© Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2018 

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