Depression is a common cause and consequence of ill health in old people.[1] It hinders rehabilitation and hastens death, yet the diagnosis is often missed in medical wards.[2]
Screening questionnaires such as the geriatric depression scale (GDS)[3] help with recognising depression, which can then be assessed for treatment. The brief assessment schedule (BAS)[4] was used successfully by lay interviewers to screen for depression among residents of old people's homes.[5] In a typical hospital ward, however, the questions are too easily overheard.
We compare the GDS with a novel adaptation of the depression scale of the BAS as a deck of cards (BASDEC, BAS depression cards) in screening geriatric inpatients for depression.
Method and results
BASDEC comprises 19 cards, 8.2 cm x 10.4 cm, with statements derived from the depression scale of the BAS in large black print on a white background. They are presented one at a time, to be answered "True" or "False" according to the subject's present feelings. Every response of true gains one point, except "I've given up hope" and "I've seriously considered...