Is the geriatric depression scale a reliable screening tool for depressive symptoms in elderly patients with cognitive impairment?

Screening measures such as the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) (Sheikh and Yesavage, 1986) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) (Zigmond and Snaith, 1983) are important tools in the recognition of depressive symptoms in older people. While these measures are widely used, there is evidence of specific weaknesses in some cohorts and contexts, with the GDS-15 showing limitations in the context of cognitive impairment (Gilley and Wilson, 1997), and the depression subscale of the HADS (HADS-D) losing sensitivity in the context of older participants in hospital inpatient settings (Davies et al., 1993).

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Depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment and functional impairment in a rural elderly population in India: a Hindi version of the geriatric depression scale (GDS-H)

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry ◽

10.1002/(sici)1099-1166(199910)14:10<807::aid-gps31>3.0.co;2-# ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 14 (10) ◽

pp. 807-820 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Mary Ganguli ◽

Sanjay Dube ◽

Janet M. Johnston ◽

Rajesh Pandav ◽

Vijay Chandra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Functional Impairment ◽

Elderly Population ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Rural Elderly ◽

Geriatric Depression

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Depression and the Diagnosis of MCI in a Culturally Diverse Sample in the United States

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/acz043 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Merike Lang ◽

Mónica Rosselli ◽

Maria T Greig ◽

Valeria L Torres ◽

Idaly Vélez-Uribe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Executive Function ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Semantic Memory ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

The United States ◽

Confrontation Naming ◽

Clinical Diagnoses

Abstract Objective To analyze (1) whether there are ethnic differences in the severity of depressive symptoms between groups of elders classified as cognitively normal (CN) or amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and (2) the influence of depressive symptoms on specific cognitive performance by ethnicity across diagnoses, controlling for covariates. Methods 164 Hispanics residing in the United States (HAs) and European Americans (EAs) (100 women; Mage = 72.1, SD = 8.0) were diagnosed as either CN or aMCI. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Cognition was assessed using the Loewenstein-Acevedo Scales for Semantic Interference and Learning (semantic memory), Multilingual Naming Test (confrontation naming), and the Stroop Test (Color–Word condition; executive function). A 2 × 2 univariate ANCOVA as well as linear and logistic regressions explored differences in depressive symptoms among diagnostic and ethnic groups. Results Higher depression was seen in aMCI compared to the CN group for both ethnicities, after controlling for age, education, gender, and Mini-Mental State Examination score. Greater levels of depression also predicted lower scores in confrontation naming and semantic memory for only the EA group and marginally in scores of executive function for HA participants. GDS-15 scores of ≤ 4 also predicted less likelihood of aMCI diagnosis. Conclusions Severity of depressive symptoms was associated with greater cognitive impairment, independent of ethnicity. Significant results suggest detrimental effects of depression on clinical diagnoses most evidently for subjects from the EA group.

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Body mass index, cognitive deficit and depressive symptoms in high cardiovascular risk patients

Dementia & Neuropsychologia ◽

10.1590/s1980-57642010dn40400010 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 313-319 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Amanda Lucas da Costa ◽

Juliana Santos Varela ◽

Matheus Roriz Cruz ◽

Andry Fitterman Costa ◽

Paulo Dornelles Picon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Obese Patients ◽

High Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Point Increase ◽

Risk Patients ◽

Relationship Of

Abstract To evaluate the relationship of obesity, cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms in patients with high cardiovascular risk. Methods: A sample of 93 patients aged 50 years or older was selected from the Center of Dyslipidemia and High Cardiovascular Risk from Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA). Patients with stroke were excluded. For cognitive evaluation, the MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination) was used. A score of 24 or less was considered as cognitive impairment, and for those who had 4 years or less of education, the cutoff point was 17. The GDS-15 (Geriatric Depression Scale) was also used, with the cutoff of 6 for presence of depressive symptoms. Results: Obese patients showed lower mean MMSE scores compared to non-obese patients (p=0.0012). Additionally, for every one point increase in BMI above 30 there was a 27% increase in the chances of the patient having cognitive impairment. The obese patients presented 31% chance of having cognitive impairment compared with overweight subjects. Conclusions: Our findings corroborated the association between obesity and cognitive impairment in high cardiovascular risk patients. This association however, was not observed for depressive symptoms.

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Model stability of the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale across cognitive impairment and severe depression.

Psychology and Aging ◽

10.1037/0882-7974.22.2.372 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 372-379 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Patrick J. Brown ◽

Carol M. Woods ◽

Martha Storandt

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Severe Depression ◽

Geriatric Depression ◽

Model Stability

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Geriatric Depression Scale: Consistency of Depressive Symptoms over Time

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1991.73.3.1032 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 73 (3) ◽

pp. 1032-1032 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Jerome A. Yesavage

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Geriatric Depression ◽

Over Time

The following is a comment on the importance of the 1991 finding by I. L. Abraham of the unchanging nature of depressive symptoms over time: one concludes that such patients will not change unless major interventions, both pharmacologic or psychosocial, can be made.

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Identifying the Factors Related to Depressive Symptoms Amongst Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16183449 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (18) ◽

pp. 3449 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dan Song ◽

Doris S.F. Yu ◽

Polly W.C. Li ◽

Qiuhua Sun

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

High-level depressive symptoms have been reported in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), resulting in increased risk of progression to dementia. However, studies investigating the correlates of depressive symptoms among this population are scarce. This study aimed to investigate the significant socio-demographic, lifestyle-related and disease-related correlates of depressive symptoms among this cohort. Cross-sectional data were obtained from a sample of 154 Chinese community-dwelling older adults with MCI. MCI subjects were screened by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale. Possible correlates of depressive symptoms in individuals with MCI were explored by multiple linear regressions. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults with MCI was 31.8%. In multiple regression analysis, poor perceived positive social interaction, small social network, low level of physical activity, poor functional status, subjective memory complaint, and poor health perception were correlated with depressive symptoms. The findings highlight that depressive symptoms are sufficient to warrant evaluation and management in older adults with MCI. Addressing social isolation, assisting this vulnerable group in functional and physical activities, and cultivating a positive perception towards cognitive and physical health are highly prioritized treatment targets among individuals with MCI.

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Do the GDS and the GDS-15 adequately capture the range of depressive symptoms among older residents in congregate housing?

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610210002425 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 23 (6) ◽

pp. 950-960 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kathryn Betts Adams

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Oldest Old ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Diagnostic Interview ◽

Geriatric Depression ◽

Roc Curve Analysis ◽

Cut Points ◽

Hit Rates

ABSTRACTBackground: In light of inconsistencies in cut points for identifying non-major depression, this study examined the classification efficiency of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS and GDS-15) total scores and individual items, and four additional depressive symptoms for identification of subthreshold, minor, or criterion depression among 166 vulnerable residents of congregate housing.Methods: Depression (combined categories of major depressive episode, minor, or subthreshold depression) was determined by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) diagnostic interview depression module administered by telephone to 166 older residents of congregate housing facilities who also completed the 30-item GDS and four other yes/no potential indicators of geriatric depression. Classification agreement and ROC curve analysis for the full and 15-item GDS scale scores were calculated. Individual item hit rates for MINI criterion were calculated for GDS items and four new items.Results: GDS and GDS-15 at standard cut points had 70–75% agreement with MINI. Best sensitivity and specificity were obtained at lower than standard cut points. Some GDS Withdrawal, Apathy, lack of Vigor (WAV) and cognitive items obtained very low hit rates. New items “I just don't feel like myself” and “I feel I am a burden to others” better discriminated MINI depression than most GDS items and had good item-to-total correlations with the GDS.Conclusions: Diagnostic criteria and GDS screen had partial agreement. Some GDS items did not adequately represent depression among functionally impaired or oldest old older adults. Feeling one is a burden and the sense of feeling “different” from usual may be useful indicators of depression among vulnerable older adults.

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