Rating scales in depression: limitations and pitfalls

摘要: Since the introduction of antidepressants to psychopharmacology in 1960s, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) has been most frequently used rating scale for depression. When as a prediction outcome with antidepressants, HAM-D, by its total score, obtained limited use analogous Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Mental Disorders. 4th ed (DSM-IV) diagnosis major Most research devoted HAM-D discriminate between placebo active drugs or show dose-response relationship patients An improvement score during drug trial does not, however, itself qualify an antidepressant, because is not sufficient statistic. The problem statistical versus clinical significance when analyzing placebo-controlled trials, including relationship, outlined, recommendation effect size statistics.