Development of a Brief Validated Geriatric Depression Screening Tool: The SLU “AM SAD”

Objectives Combining five commonly observed symptoms of late-life depression to develop a short depression screening tool with similar sensitivity and specificity as the conventional, more time-consuming tools. Methods We developed the St. Louis University AM SAD (Appetite, Mood, Sleep, Activity, and thoughts of Death) questionnaire. The frequency of each symptom in the prior 2 weeks is quantified as 0, 1, or 2. Patients 65 years or older from our clinics were administered the AM SAD, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and the St. Louis University Mental Status Exam (SLUMS). Results 100 patients were selected. AM SAD correlation with GDS was 0.72 and MADRS 0.80. AM SAD yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 79% and 62% against diagnosis of depression; of 88% and 62% with GDS-15; and 92% and 71% with MADRS. Conclusions The AM SAD can be reliably used as a short depression screening tool in patients with a SLUMS score of 20 or higher.