Key result
Routine two-stage depression screening detects MDD in cancer inpatients with an AUC of 0.72.
Why the study?
Does a two-stage routine screening strategy using the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire improve the recognition and diagnosis of major depressive disorder in cancer inpatients?
Cross-Sectional (n=8,800)
Does a two-stage routine screening strategy using the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire improve the recognition and diagnosis of major depressive disorder in cancer inpatients?
Effect estimate: AUC 0.72
A two-stage depression screening strategy using the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire is practical and effective for identifying major depressive disorder in cancer inpatients.
Moderate accuracy warrants caution against routine adoption; leaves open whether two-stage TDQ screening improves MDD detection in cancer inpatients.
BACKGROUND: Clinical practice guidelines frequently recommend systematic screening for depression in cancer patients to improve recognition and prompt appropriate management. We aimed to screen major depressive disorder (MDD) in cancer inpatients using a structured tool and explore its applicability. METHODS: Cancer inpatients were routinely screened by nurses using the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire (TDQ), and for those screened positive, this was followed by a non-mandated referral to a psychiatrist for clinical evaluation and diagnosis. Patients who completed this two-stage procedure comprised the analysis sample. RESULTS: Routine screening of 8800 patients in a period of 27 months yielded 1087 (26.9%) positive first-time screens. Of them, 298 (27.4%) completed the psychiatric consultation. Depressive disorders were diagnosed in 185 patients (62.1%), mainly adjustment disorder (23.8%) and MDD (21.5%). The estimated prevalence of MDD was 21.5%. Area under the curve was 0.72, a result produced by the receiver operating characteristic curve of the TDQ scores relative to the clinical psychiatric diagnoses of MDD. A TDQ cutoff score of ≧26 provided an optimal diagnostic accuracy for MDD. CONCLUSIONS: This two-stage depression screening and diagnosing strategy is practical for improving recognition of MDD and other depressive disorders in cancer patients and could be routinely applied, rather than selectively, in a comprehensive cancer care system.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Tu et al. (2014) conducted a cross-sectional in Cancer (n=8,800). Routine two-stage depression screening using the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire was evaluated on Diagnostic accuracy for major depressive disorder (MDD) (AUC 0.72). Routine two-stage depression screening using the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire demonstrated an AUC of 0.72 for diagnosing major depressive disorder in cancer inpatients.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: