Background Regular assessment of mood is often important for treatment but
traditional measures can be time-consuming. A quick 'litmus test' is needed
.
Aims To test the reliability and validity of a single-item scale for mood.
Method Mood was measured repeatedly in 812 patients (258 inpatients, 554 ou
t-patients) being treated in an anxiety disorders unit. Patients had self-
and clinician ratings of a single-item depression scale and also rated the
21-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-21). Their single-item scores were c
ompared with BDI-21 scores and with outcome measures.
Results The single-item depression scores correlated 0.71 to 0.78 with the
BDI-21 scores. Clinically useful cut-off points were identified. Depression
scores at discharge, but not pre-treatment, correlated significantly with
improvement in the main problem.
Conclusions The quick single-item depression scale, whether rated by patien
t or by clinician, is a reasonable rough guide to mood in anxiety disorders
and saves time for the patient and the clinician compared to longer measur
es.
Declaration of interest None.