Web-based tools can be used reliably to detect patients with major depressive disorder and subsyndromal depressive symptoms
2007

Web-based Tool for Detecting Depression

Sample size: 579 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Lin Chao-Cheng, Bai Ya-Mei, Liu Chia-Yih, Hsiao Mei-Chun, Chen Jen-Yeu, Tsai Shih-Jen, Ouyang Wen-Chen, Wu Chia-hsuan, Li Yu-Chuan

Primary Institution: National Taiwan University Hospital

Hypothesis

The study aims to evaluate the test-retest reliability and criterion validity of a Web-based system for assessing depression.

Conclusion

The evidence indicates the ISP-D is a reliable and valid online tool for assessing depression.

Supporting Evidence

  • The ISP-D showed excellent test-retest reliability with a weighted kappa of 0.801.
  • Sensitivity for major depressive disorder was 81.8% and specificity was 72.7%.
  • The overall accuracy of the ISP-D was 76.4%.

Takeaway

Researchers created an online test to help people check if they have depression, and it works really well.

Methodology

Participants completed the ISP-D test online and were assessed for reliability and validity through follow-up interviews.

Potential Biases

Participants may have been more likely to be those with depressive symptoms, limiting generalizability.

Limitations

The study may have a self-selection bias and a low response rate for retesting.

Participant Demographics

Most participants were young (mean age: 26.2 years), female (77.7%), single (81.6%), and well educated (61.9% college or higher).

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-244X-7-12

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication