Health-Related Self-Report (HRSR) Scale : The Diag- nostic Screening Test for Depression in Thai Population
DUANGJAI KASANTIKUL,M.D.*, NONGPANGA LIMSUWAN, M.D.**, SANGCHANDRA VUTHIGANOND, M.D.***, PRAWATE TANTIPIWATANAKUL,M.D.*****, NIPATT KARNJANATHANALERS, M.D.*, ORAPUN THONGTANG, M.D.***, VIRA KHUANGSIRIKUL, M.D.****, VORALAKSANA THEERAMOKE, M.D.******
Affiliation : * Department of Psychiatry, Chulalongkom Hospital, Phatumvan, Bangkok 10330, ** Department of Psychiatry, Ramathibodi Hospital, Phyathai, Bangkok 10400, *** Department of Psychiatry, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok 10700, **** Department of Neuropsychiatry, Pharmongkutklao Hospital, Phyathai, Bangkok 10400, ***** Suanprung Psychiatric Hospital, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai 50000, ****** Department of Psychiatry, Phayathai 2 Hospital, Phyathai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
Abstract
In this study we introduced a health-related self-report (HRSR) diagnostic scale for
detecting depression in Thai population. The scale composed of 20 symptom items including
two objective signs (people said I look worried or sad) and previous suicidal attempt both of which
were helpful in detecting and confirming depression and suicidal risk. There were 3 positive items
(feel well, life is pleasant and meaningful and feel self-worth) which clearly distinguished normal
subjects and depressed patients.
The reliability coefficient (Chronbach's a) of the HRSR scale was 0.91 and was found to
possess a clear factorial structure and clinical validity. The cut-off score at 30 gave 90.2 per cent
specificity and 85.3 per cent sensitivity for major depression. Score ;:::: 25 provided higher specify
(93.4%) but lower sensitivity (75.1 %) and could detect probable cases of depression or other
mental illnesses in the community. Thus it can be used as a diagnostic screening instrument.
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