Screening of major depression in epilepsy: The Neurologic Depression Disorders Inventory in Epilepsy-Spanish version (Argentina)

Objectives To validate and translate the English version of the Neurologic Depression Disorders Inventory in Epilepsy (NDDI-E) into Spanish as a screening instrument for major depressive episodes (MDE) for patients with epilepsy from Argentina and Uruguay. Methods One hundred fifty-five consecutive outpatients with epilepsy participated in this study. The module of MDE of the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Instrument (MINI Plus version) was used as the gold standard against which the translated version of the NDDI-E was validated. Results Among the 155 patients, 25 (16%) met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for MDE according to the MINI. With a total score of >15, The NDDI-E identified MDE with an 80% sensitivity, 90% specificity, 60% positive predictive value, and 95.5% negative predictive value. Significance These data indicate that the Spanish version of the NDDI-E can reliably identify MDE in patients with epilepsy from Argentina and Uruguay.