Screening for depression among acutely ill geriatric inpatients with a short geriatric depression scale

Background: depression is not uncommon among acutely ill geriatric inpatients. Method: the performances of shorter versions of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) in screening for depression among acutely ill geriatric inpatients were examined. Results: a cut-off of 2/3 gives the best sensitivity (88%) and specificity (75%) for the 10-item version (GDS10). A cutoff of 0/1 gives the best sensitivity (72%) and specificity (30%) for the 4-item version (GDS4). A positive response to item 6 (''Do you often feel helpless?'') on the GDS10 gave a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 75%. Patients found the GDS10 tolerable and acceptable. Conclusion: both shorter versions of the GDS may be utilized in screening for depression among acutely ill geriatric inpatients.