Validity of Beck Depression Inventory-Fast Screen in multiple sclerosis

Introduction: The Beck Depression Inventory-Fast Screen (BDI-FS) is a brief self-report inventory designed to evaluate depression in patients with medical illness. As depressive disorder is especially prominent in multiple sclerosis (MS), a cost-effective procedure for identifying depressive disorder in MS is sorely needed. The BDI-FS may be useful in this regard although, to date, its validity in MS patients has not been assessed. Methods: Fifty-four consecutive MS patients were studied. All underwent psychological assessment, which included the BDI-FS and other self-report measures of depression. Forty-eight caregiver/informants were interviewed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Retrospective chart reviews were conducted by a single trained research assistant, blind to the results of psychological testing and interviews, to determine if antidepressant medications had been prescribed. Results: The BDI-FS was significantly correlated with other self-report measures of depression (P < 0.001) and with informant reported dysphoria (P < 0.01), In addition, BDI-FS scores discriminated MS patients undergoing treatment for depressive disorder from untreated MS patients (P = 0.01). Conclusion: These data support the concurrent and discriminative validity of the BDI-FS in MS. As the test is brief and not confounded with neurological symptoms, it is recommended for depression screening in this population.