Lancet Psychiatry. 2015 Jul;2(7):635-47. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(15)00168-6. Epub 2015 Jun 30.

Patient-reported depression measures in cancer: a meta-review.

Wakefield CE, Butow PN, Aaronson NA, et al.

In this meta-review the findings of 19 previous reviews (including 372 primary studies) were integrated to identify which patient-reported depression measures perform best in patients with cancer. The Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale was the most thoroughly evaluated measure, it had moderate screening utility indices and was least recommended in this patient group. The Beck Depression Inventory was found to have greater generalisability in difference cancers and stages, it was good for screening for and detecting cases of depression. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was reported to be responsive. The findings from this meta-review can help inform the choice of the depression measure to use for specific settings and purposes.

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