Using an annual over‐75 health check to screen for depression: validation of the short geriatric depression scale (GDS15) within general practice

Abstract

Used as part of an annual over-75 health check in primary care, the GDS15 would detect a significant amount of hidden morbidity which would serve the original purpose of the annual elderly health checks in the UK.

Depressive Symptoms and Total Healthcare Costs: Roles of Functional Limitations and Multimorbidity

“…While some individuals with clinically diagnosed major depression may score below 6 on the GDS, the negative predictive value of a GDS score below 6 for the absence of major depression by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), criteria is over 90%. [32][33][34] Thus, it is highly unlikely clinical depression within this subset could explain our findings. Rather, we hypothesize that the absence of depressive symptoms leads to lower healthcare cost and utilization, perhaps by being associated with higher levels of patient activation [35][36][37] and higher levels of self-efficacy.…”

Mental health in older adult recipients of primary care services: is depression the key issue? Identification, treatment and the general practitioner

“…Methods could include the use of protocols and screening tools. Updates for primary care on assessment, treatment options and referral paths would be beneficial (Iliffe et al, 1994;Arthur et al, 1999;Orrell et al, 2000).…”

Effect of Monthly High‐Dose Vitamin D on Mental Health in Older Adults: Secondary Analysis of a RCT

“…20,21 Secondary end points were the SF-36 subscale for Mental Health (MH) that was validated for health-related quality-of-life assessment 22,23 and the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), a validated questionnaire to identify depression in older adults. [24][25][26][27] The MCS and the MH subscale were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. GDS-15 was assessed only at baseline and after 12 months.…”