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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2007 Sep;46(9):1204-1212.
doi: 10.1097/chi.0b013e3180cc2575.

A psychometric evaluation of the CDRS and MADRS in assessing depressive symptoms in children

Shailesh Jain  1 , Thomas J Carmody  1 , Madhukar H Trivedi  1 , Carroll Hughes  1 , Ira H Bernstein  1 , David W Morris  1 , Graham J Emslie  1 , A John Rush  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A psychometric evaluation of the CDRS and MADRS in assessing depressive symptoms in children

Shailesh Jain et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2007 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: This study compared the psychometric properties of the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R) and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) in children with major depressive disorder.

Method: Children (N = 96; ages 8 to 11 years inclusive) with nonpsychotic major depressive disorder were enrolled. Participants were part of a multisite, outpatient, randomized, placebo-controlled, 9-week trial of fluoxetine (10 mg/day for the first week and 20 mg/day thereafter). The CDRS-R and MADRS were completed based on clinician interviews with both parents and children. Classic test theory and item response theory analyses were conducted.

Results: The MADRS and CDRS-R total scores were correlated at baseline (r = 0.51) and at study exit (r = 0.85). Cronbach's alpha was .86 (CDRS-R) and .82 (MADRS) at exit. The effect sizes for change from baseline to exit between the fluoxetine and placebo groups were 0.78 (CDRS-R) and 0.61 (MADRS). There was agreement between the CDRS-R and MADRS in the declaration of treatment response (50% improvement from baseline to exit) in 84.2% of children. Test information function favored the CDRS-R.

Conclusions: The CDRS-R showed greater effect size for differentiating drug and placebo and better test information than the MADRS in this study of depressed children.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Test Information Functions for CDRS-R and MADRS for Children at Exit
CDRS-R= Child Depression Rating Scale-Revised; MADRS= Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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