Objective: To determine the utility of an observer-based rating scale to detect depression in patients without aphasia.
Design: Correlation analysis between the Stroke Aphasia Depression Questionnaire, shortened version (SADQ-10) and a validated self-rating measure of depression, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The sensitivity and specificity of the SADQ-10 were also calculated.
Setting: Stroke rehabilitation unit.
Subjects: Sixty-five stroke patients without significant aphasia undergoing rehabilitation.
Interventions: All patients were assessed with the GDS-15 and the SADQ-10.
Results: The SADQ-10 at a cut-point of 14 out of 30 had a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 77% to detect depression. This measure demonstrated good internal consistency but showed only a modest correlation with the GDS-15 (r = 0.40, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: In the population under study the SADQ-10 did not appear to be a valid measure of depression compared with the GDS and, therefore, may not be suitable for use in patients without significant aphasia.