Abstract
Background: There is a high prevalence of depression in patients with heart failure (HF) that is associated with worsening prognosis. The value of using a reliable and valid instrument to measure depression in this population is therefore essential. We validated the Cardiac Depression Scale (CDS) in heart failure patients using a model of ordinal unidimensional measurement known as Mokken scaling.Findings: We administered in face-to-face interviews the CDS to 603 patients with HF. Data were analysed using Mokken scale analysis. Items of the CDS formed a statistically significant unidimensional Mokken scale of low strength (H<0.40) and high reliability (Rho>0.8).Conclusions: The CDS has a hierarchy of items which can be interpreted in terms of the increasingly serious effects of depression occurring as a result of HF. Identifying an appropriate instrument to measure depression in patients with HF allows for early identification and better medical management.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 141 |
Journal | Health and Quality of Life Outcomes |
Volume | 10 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 23 Nov 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cardiac Depression Scale
- Depression
- Heart failure
- Mokken scaling
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health