Scale of cognitive symptoms in depression (EsADFUN)

Abstract

Introduction. To measure the cognitive dimenssion of depression is a relevant matter because is critical in remission and to predict relapse. Objective. Elaboration and validation of a scale to measure cognitive symptoms in depression, that is complete, easy and practical to apply in mexican depressed patients. Methods. We made two depression expert´s consensus meetings to gather the ítems to include in the scale and to get the construct validation. We applied the Antoevalutation Scale for Depression and Functionality (EsADFUN) to a group of depressed patients between 18 and 65 years old and to a control group paired by age, gender and education. As well as the Internatonal Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Beck depression scale, Patient Helath Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Results. EsADFUN got construct and discriminant validation, as well as intern consistency between its ítems, with a sensibility of 97% and specificity of 83%. It had a mild to moderate correlation, but statistically significant between the intensity of the depression sympttoms and the cognitive afection. It had a positive correlation between the EsADFUN ítem 10 and the DSST, considering it aceptable and valid to evaluate processing speed. Discussion and conclussion. EsADFUN es a complete and valid scale to measure cognitive symptoms in depressed patients for clinical and research purposes.