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Validity of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

J. W. Knesevich ,
J. T. Biggs ,
P.J. Clayton  and
V. E. Ziegler
J. W. Knesevich
Affiliation:
From the Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 4940 Audubon Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
J. T. Biggs
Affiliation:
From the Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 4940 Audubon Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
P.J. Clayton
Affiliation:
From the Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 4940 Audubon Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
V. E. Ziegler*
Affiliation:
From the Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 4940 Audubon Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
*
Address all correspondence and reprint requests to V. E. Ziegler, M.D.
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Summary

In 26 depressed patients, a high correlation (0·89) was found between the Hamilton score and a psychiatrist's global rating and between the change (0 · 68) in these ratings during treatment. The Hamilton scale was able to differentiate at the 0·01 level four degrees of severity based on the global rating. Limiting the range of severity measured was found to lower significantly the correlation between the ratings. A prospective examination of a six-item sub-scale of the Hamilton scale developed by Beck and associates failed to confirm its claimed improvement in sensitivity or validity.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 131 , Issue 1 , July 1977 , pp. 49 - 52
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1977 

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References

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