A comparison of the validity of the Cornell Scale and the MADRS in detecting depression among memory clinic patients

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2011;32(4):287-94. doi: 10.1159/000334983. Epub 2012 Jan 19.

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to compare the validity of the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD) and the Montgomery-Aasberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) among memory clinic patients.

Methods: The scales were independently completed for 125 patients. The diagnosis of depression was made by psychiatrists blinded to the depression scores.

Results: The mean score of the Mini-Mental State Examination was 25.5 (SD: 4.6), of the CSDD 6.8 (SD: 4.9), and of the MADRS 8.5 (SD: 6.8). In receiver operation characteristics (ROC) analyses, the AUC for the CSDD was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.63-0.82) using the International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) criteria for depression, and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.57-0.79) using the DSM-IV criteria. The AUC was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.81-0.95) for the MADRS using the ICD-10 criteria, and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.76-0.92) using the DSM-IV criteria.

Conclusion: Both scales are suitable as screening tools. According to the ROC analyses, the MADRS seems better at distinguishing depressed from nondepressed patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Area Under Curve
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / diagnosis
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / psychology
  • Dementia / diagnosis
  • Dementia / psychology
  • Depression / complications*
  • Depression / diagnosis*
  • Depression / psychology
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • Female
  • Humans
  • International Classification of Diseases
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / complications*
  • Memory Disorders / psychology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests*
  • Nursing Homes
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • ROC Curve
  • Reproducibility of Results