Development of Clinical Guideline for the Diagnosis and Evaluation of Depression: Focused on Evaluation Guideline

ObjectivesZZThe aim of this study is to develop guideline for evaluation of depression.MethodsZZDevelopment of this guideline was processed according to the ADAPTE manual, which was developed for adaptation of good clinical practice guidelines.Important key questions were determined, and a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines was performed.The contents of guidelines selected by comparison of the methodological quality and currency were evaluated with regard to the applicability and acceptability.Answers to key questions and clinical recommendations were established by peer review.ResultsZZCareful evaluations on the characteristics of depression, including subtype, severity, suicidality, and psychiatric and physical comorbidities were recommended because these factors can have an influence on course and prognosis in treatment of depression.ConclusionZZThe results of this study may contribute to the systematic evaluation of depression, based on clinical importance.However, this guideline did not include systematic reviews regarding useful scales for evaluation of depression.In the future, amendment of this guideline might be needed in order to supplement limitations.