Diagnostic accuracy of the original 30-item and shortened versions of the Geriatric Depression Scale in nursing home patients

Abstract

The GDS-30 was found to be a valid and reliable case-finding tool for both major and minor depression in nursing home patients with no cognitive impairment and in patients with mild to moderate cognitively impairment (MMSE > or = 15). The GDS-10 (D'Ath et al., 1994) appeared to be the best least time-consuming alternative for the nursing home setting.