Self-Report Symptoms That Predict Major Depression in Patients With Prominent Physical Symptoms

The diagnosis of depression inpatients with both depressive & physical symptoms is often problematic. This study examines 271 patients with 4 types of illnesses: renal disease, bowel syndrome, neuromyasthenia, & eating disorders. The authors investigated if the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) would support the diagnosis of a major depressive episode made using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. 75% of the patients were correctly classified by the BDI. (VM)