Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30689482›Full record

ArticleScandinavian journal of primary health care2019

Diagnosing depression in primary care: a Rasch analysis of the major depression inventory.

Kaj Sparle Christensen, Eva Oernboel, Marie Germund Nielsen, Per Bech

Abstract readValidation Study
In one paragraph

Article in Scandinavian journal of primary health care, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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  3. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale - Expanded version: Construct validity using Rasch model analysis.The South African journal of psychiatry : SAJP : the journal of the Society of Psychiatrists of South Africa · 2025
    Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Kaj Sparle Christensena Research Unit for General Practice and Section for General Medical Practice, Department of Public Health , Aarhus University , Aarhus , Denmark.
Eva Oernboelb Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics , Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus , Denmark.
Marie Germund Nielsena Research Unit for General Practice and Section for General Medical Practice, Department of Public Health , Aarhus University , Aarhus , Denmark.
Per Bechc Psychiatric Research Unit, Mental Health Centre North Zealand , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThis study aims to assess the measurement properties of the Major Depression Inventory (MDI) in a clinical sample of primary care patients.

designGeneral practitioners (GPs) handed out the MDI to patients aged 18-65 years on clinical suspicion of depression.

settingThirty-seven general practices in the Central Denmark Region participated in the study. PATIENTS: Data for 363 patients (65% females, mean age: 49.8 years, SD: 17.7) consulting their GP were included in the analysis.

main outcome measuresThe overall fit to the Rasch model, individual item and person fit, and adequacy of response categories were tested. Statistical tests for local dependency, unidimensionality, differential item functioning, and correct targeting of the scale were performed. The person separation reliability index was calculated. All analyses were performed using RUMM2030 software.

resultsItems 9 and 10 demonstrated misfit to the Rasch model, and all items demonstrated disordered response categories. After modifying the original six-point to a five-point scoring system, ordered response categories were achieved for all 10 items. The MDI items seemed well targeted to the population approached. Model fit was also achieved for core symptoms of depression (items 1-3) and after dichotomization of items according to diagnostic procedure.

conclusionDespite some minor problems with its measurement structure, the MDI seems to be a valid instrument for identification of depression among adults in primary care. The results support screening for depression based on core symptoms and dichotomization of items according to diagnostic procedure. Key points The Major Depression Inventory (MDI) is widely used for screening, diagnosis and monitoring of depression in general practice. This study demonstrates misfit of items 9 and 10 to the Rasch model and a need to modify the scoring system The findings support screening for depression based on core symptoms and dichotomization of items according to diagnostic procedure. Minor problems with measurement structure should be addressed in future revisions of the MDI.

Indexed as

Mental Status ScheduleSurveys and QuestionnairesAdolescentAdultDenmarkDepressionFemaleHumansMajor Depressive DisorderMaleMiddle AgedPsychometricsReproducibility of ResultsYoung AdultDepressionDiagnosisMass ScreeningPrimary Health CarePsychiatric Status Rating ScalesPsychometrics

Identifiers

PMID30689482
PMCPMC6454403

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.