Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)

This is suitable as a screening test for depressive symptoms in the elderly; ideal for evaluating the clinical severity of depression, and therefore for monitoring treatment. It is easy to administer, needs no prior psychiatric knowledge and has been well validated in many environments.

The original GDS was a 30 item questionnaire - time consuming and challenging for some patients (and staff). Later versions retain only the most discriminating questions; their validity approaches that of the original form.

Depression assessments such as the 4 item Geriatric Depression Scale are easy and quick to perform with a high sensitivity and specificity. Patients who screen positive for depression should be considered for antidepressants and be reassessed cognitively when their depression has lifted. Care must be taken as dementia and depression often co-exist.
Four and fifteen question versions are included below:

The fifteen item (GDS-15) and 4 item (GDS-4) versions of the geriatric depression scale are good methods of screening for major depression (as is the 10 item version not shown). The shorter of these (GDS-4) is of limited clinical value in monitoring the severity of the depressive episode (may be better used to exclude depression).¹ The systematic use of short GDS versions in Primary Care may increase detection rates of depression among the elderly.²