Diagnostic accuracy of the Geriatric Depression Scale-30, Geriatric Depression Scale-15, Geriatric Depression Scale-5 and Geriatric Depression Scale-4 for detecting major depression: protocol for a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis

Abstract

IntroductionThe 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30) and the shorter GDS-15, GDS-5 and GDS-4 are recommended as depression screening tools for elderly individuals. Existing meta-analyses on the diagnostic accuracy of the GDS have not been able to conduct subgroup analyses, have included patients already identified as depressed who would not be screened in practice and have not accounted for possible bias due to selective reporting of results from only better-performing cut-offs in primary studies. Individual participant data meta-analysis (IPDMA), which involves a standard systematic review, then a synthesis of individual participant data, rather than summary results, could address these limitations. The objective of our IPDMA is to generate accuracy estimates to detect major depression for all possible cut-offs of each version of the GDS among studies using different reference standards, separately and among participant subgroups based on age, sex, dementia diagnosis and care settings. In addition, we will use a modelling approach to generate individual participant probabilities for major depression based on GDS scores (rather than a dichotomous cut-off) and participant characteristics (eg, sex, age, dementia status, care setting).Methods and analysisIndividual participant data comparing GDS scores to a major depression diagnosis based on a validated structured or semistructured diagnostic interview will be sought via a systematic review. Data sources will include Medline, Medline In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, PsycINFO and Web of Science. Bivariate random-effects models will be used to estimate diagnostic accuracy parameters for each cut-off of the different versions of the GDS. Prespecified subgroup analyses will be conducted. Risk of bias will be assessed with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool.Ethics and disseminationThe findings of this study will be of interest to stakeholders involved in research, clinical practice and policy.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018104329.

Excess mortality in depressive and anxiety disorders: The Lifelines Cohort Study

“…The GDS score may be falsely inflated due to underlying (sometimes subthreshold) somatic diseases. [31,32] We did not find any impact of current affective disorders on excess mortality in later life. One explanation may be that people with affective disorders have died earlier and that the background rate of mortality among older people without mental illness starts to catch up with people with affective disorders as the whole sample ages.…”

Head Injury Exposure in Veterans Presenting to Memory Disorders Clinic: An Observational Study of Clinical Characteristics and Relationship of Event-Related Potentials and Imaging Markers

“…Participants also completed a neurocognitive test battery that included the Consortium to Establish a Registry in Alzheimer's disease (CERAD) Word List Memory Test ( 33 ), Verbal Fluency Test (Category and Letter Fluency) ( 34 ), Boston Naming Test-Short Form ( 35 ), Trail Making Tests A and B ( 36 ), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) ( 37 ), Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS) ( 38 ), Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) ( 39 ), and the Center for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale (CNS-LS) ( 40 ).…”

“…Participants also completed a neurocognitive test battery that included the Consortium to Establish a Registry in Alzheimer's disease (CERAD) Word List Memory Test (33) (38), Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) (39), and the Center for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale (CNS-LS) (40).…”

A snapshot of factual bitterness of elderly Indians: It’s time to act

“…(18) Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used for assessing state of depression. (19,20) All the tools were translated into vernacular and the translation was validated after retranslation with the help of language experts. To enhance the sensitivity of screening, all the tools were applied to all participants irrespective of their screening test status by 10-minute comprehensive screening tool.…”