Key result
Distress Thermometer moderately correlates with Geriatric Depression Scale, where a cutoff of 4 predicts positive GDS.
Why the study?
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer has been validated in general oncology populations but its utility as a surrogate for the Geriatric Depression Scale in older adults with cancer was uncertain.
Does the Distress Thermometer effectively screen for depression compared to the Geriatric Depression Scale in older adults with cancer?
Cross-Sectional (n=242)
Does the Distress Thermometer effectively screen for depression compared to the Geriatric Depression Scale in older adults with cancer?
Effect estimate: Spearman correlation coefficient 0.41
p-value: p=< 0.001
The Distress Thermometer is a mildly to moderately effective screening tool for depression in older adults with cancer, supporting the NCCN cutoff score of 4.
May support Distress Thermometer screening at cutoff 4 in older adults with cancer; leaves open prospective validation against clinical diagnosis.
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Zuber et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Cancer in older adults (n=242). Distress Thermometer (DT) vs. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was evaluated on Correlation between Distress Thermometer (DT) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) scores (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.41, p=< 0.001). The Distress Thermometer showed a moderate correlation with the Geriatric Depression Scale (Spearman r=0.41, p<0.001), with a cutoff score of 4 predicting a positive GDS (c-index=0.70).
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