depression- the two questions
Two questions may be used to screen for depression (with 97% sensitivity): "During the past month have you often been bothered by feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?" "During the past month have you often been bothered by little interest or pleasure in doing things?" A positive answer to either question suggests depression.
The original research by Arroll.B et al showed a high sensitivity (97%) but a low positive predictive value (PPV) (18%)and the post-test probabilities were that there would be 5 false-positives for each true- positive.
This does not mean that the two questions are of no value as the high sensitivity means that they are an excellent method for excluding depression as the cause of tiredness. The chances of a patient with a negative test having depression are only 0.3%.
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