Simplified Screening for Depression in Acutely Hospitalized Geriatric Patients: Comparison of the Two-Item Whooley Questions With the Geriatric Depression Scale-15
Trabert J, Bauer E, Golbach R, Jekel K, Wunner C, Singler K, Schütze S (2025)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2025
Journal
Book Volume: 40
Pages Range: e70083-
Journal Issue: 4
DOI: 10.1002/gps.70083
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to investigate sensitivity and specificity of the two-item Whooley questions compared to the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) for the detection of depressive symptoms in acutely hospitalized geriatric patients. METHODS: Patients were prospectively recruited. Two-item Whooley questions and GDS-15 were performed within 24 h of admission, the GDS-15 being part of the routine geriatric assessment. Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) served as gold standard in the form of a structured interview which was performed within 48 h of admission. In addition, all patients were examined for independence (Barthel Index), cognition (mini-mental status examination), vision and hearing (finger rub test) and multimorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index). RESULTS: 248 patients were recruited. Median (Q1/3) age was 83 (/3 79/86) years, 157 patients (63%) were female. Whooley questions had a sensitivity of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.81-0.99) and specificity of 0.49 (95% CI: 0.43-0.56) identifying moderate depressive symptoms (MADRS ≥ 20 points) with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.99. This is compared to a sensitivity of 0.57 (95% CI: 0.37-0.75) and specificity of 0.62 (95% CI: 0.56-0.68) using GDS-15 to identify moderate depressive symptoms. Both functional impairment and cognitive deficits had an impact on the result of GDS-15, but did not influence the result of Whooley questions. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the GDS-15, the two-item Whooley questions are more accurate to screen for symptoms of depression in acutely hospitalized geriatric patients.
Authors with CRIS profile
Christina Wunner
Lehrstuhl für Psychologische Diagnostik, Methodenlehre und Rechtspsychologie
Katrin Singler
Medizinische Fakultät
Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Trabert, J., Bauer, E., Golbach, R., Jekel, K., Wunner, C., Singler, K., & Schütze, S. (2025). Simplified Screening for Depression in Acutely Hospitalized Geriatric Patients: Comparison of the Two-Item Whooley Questions With the Geriatric Depression Scale-15. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 40(4), e70083-. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.70083
MLA:
Trabert, Johannes, et al. "Simplified Screening for Depression in Acutely Hospitalized Geriatric Patients: Comparison of the Two-Item Whooley Questions With the Geriatric Depression Scale-15." International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 40.4 (2025): e70083-.
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