Not as golden as standards should be: Interpretation of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression
Abstract
Background The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) is one of the most frequently used instruments in antidepressant trials.Methods We examined different recommendations for classification of subjects according to depression severity by the HRSD.Results Several differences between recommendations were identified leading to the conclusion that a consensus on interpretation is largely missing.Limitations Brief narrative review.Conclusions Widely accepted standards for the interpretation of scores on the HRSD are needed.
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A final HDRS rating of seven or less can be interpreted to mean the patient is not depressed.
“According to Kriston and von Wolff [72], a final rating of seven or less can be interpreted to mean the patient is not depressed.”
From Metacognitive Training for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (2020) · cites this paper as [72]
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Husain, S. F., Yu, R., Tang, T.-B., Tam, W. W., Tran, B., Quek, T. T., Hwang, S.-H., Chang, C. W., Ho, C. S., & Ho, R. C. (2020) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-020-66784-2 · Cited by 213 · see citing works
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“According to Kriston and von Wolff [72], a final rating of seven or less can be interpreted to mean the patient is not depressed.”
Background
- Authors
- Kriston, L., & von Wolff, A.
- Affiliations
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Kriston, Levente
- ORCID
- Kriston, Levente
- Venue
- Journal of Affective Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2011-01
- Volume
- 128
- Issue
- 1-2
- Pages
- 175-177
- ISSN
- 0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2144657080
- Cited by
- 55
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 3.33
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (01KG0923)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
- Keywords
- Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, depression severity, score interpretation, antidepressant trials
- MeSH terms
- Antidepressive Agents, Clinical Trials as Topic, Depression, Humans, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychometrics, Sensitivity and Specificity, Severity of Illness Index, Treatment Outcome, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Practice Guidelines as Topic
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