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BRIEF COMMUNICATION.

Criterion validity of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D): results from a community-based sample of older subjects in the Netherlands

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 1997

A. T. F. BEEKMAN ,
D. J. H. DEEG ,
J. VAN LIMBEEK ,
A. W. BRAAM ,
M. Z. DE VRIES  and
W. VAN TILBURG
A. T. F. BEEKMAN
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry of the Free University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
D. J. H. DEEG
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry of the Free University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
J. VAN LIMBEEK
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry of the Free University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
A. W. BRAAM
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry of the Free University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
M. Z. DE VRIES
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry of the Free University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
W. VAN TILBURG
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry of the Free University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract

The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D) has been widely used in studies of late-life depression. Psychometric properties are generally favourable, but data on the criterion validity of the CES-D in elderly community-based samples are lacking. In a sample of older (55–85 years) inhabitants of the Netherlands, 487 subjects were selected to study criterion validity of the CES-D. Using the 1-month prevalence of major depression derived from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) as criterion, the weighted sensitivity of the CES-D was 100%; specificity 88%; and positive predictive value 13·2%. False positives were not more likely among elderly with physical illness, cognitive decline or anxiety. We conclude that the criterion validity of the CES-D for major depression was very satisfactory in this sample of older adults.

Type
Brief Report
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 27 , Issue 1 , January 1997 , pp. 231 - 235
Copyright
© 1997 Cambridge University Press

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