Empirical Research

Measuring Symptoms of Depression: Comparing the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9-Observation Version

Lorraine J. Phillips, PhD, RN

  • Research in Gerontological Nursing
  • January 2012 - Volume 5 · Issue 1: 34-42
  • DOI: 10.3928/19404921-20111206-03
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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to extend available psychometric data on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9-Observation Version (PHQ-9-OV) by comparing it with the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD) in a new sample of long-term care residents. Data were collected post intervention in a quasi-experimental storytelling study across six communities. The sample (N = 54) was 87% women with mean age of 84.5, mean CSDD score of 3.96, and mean PHQ-9-OV score of 4.22. Prevalence of depressive symptoms by CSDD criteria was 20.4% and by PHQ-9-OV criteria was 40.7%. The CSDD and PHQ-9-OV were well correlated (rs = 0.78, p < 0.0001). Neither scale was significantly correlated with depression diagnosis nor antidepressant agent use. Both measures demonstrated adequate reliability. The PHQ-9-OV item scoring and established cut-off points designate a lower threshold than the CSDD to detect clinically significant depressive symptoms. Further study is needed to determine the sensitivity of the PHQ-9-OV in identifying treatment effects.

AUTHORS

Dr. Phillips is Assistant Professor, Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.

The author discloses that she has no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity. This research was supported by the John A. Hartford Foundation’s Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity Award Program, as well as a grant from the Gerontological Nursing Interventions Research Center, University of Iowa, which encompassed payment to the author’s institution for related travel and review activity fees.

Address correspondence to Lorraine J. Phillips, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, S414 Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211; e-mail: phillipslo@missouri.edu.

Received: May 18, 2011
Accepted: October 06, 2011
Posted Online: December 14, 2011

doi: 10.3928/19404921-20111206-03

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