Case-finding instruments for depression in primary care settings

Article Abstract:

The use of short questionnaires as part of a routine physical exam may help to more accurately identify patients suffering from depression. Researchers evaluated 9 different questionnaires that are used to test for depression. These tests were used as part of 18 studies on a total of 15,000 patients during routine office visits. The questionnaires were written at an easy to moderate reading level and could be completed in approximately 5 minutes. These tests were assessed for accuracy and predictability in diagnosing depression. Overall, the tests were found to be 72% accurate and 84% predictable. This would indicate that of 100 hypothetical patients tested with these simple questionnaires, only 31 would require additional testing in order to find the 4 patients who have a true case of depression. One patient would be predicted to miss being diagnosed.

Usage, Diagnosis, Practice, Family medicine, Depression, Mental, Depression (Mood disorder), Psychological tests

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The Medical Review Article Revisited: Has the Science Improved?

Article Abstract:

Many review articles do not provide enough data to be of use to doctors. A survey of 158 review articles found that only two met all 10 published criteria for determining the quality of a review article. Of the 111 reviews that recommended a specific treatment, over half did not list the clinical trials used to support the recommendation. Only one-third mentioned side effects and only 6% mentioned the cost of the treatment.

Evaluation, Meta-analysis, Journalism, Medical, Medical journalism

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