Abstract
Objective. As depression is common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, we investigated whether and how the Medical Outcome Survey Short Form 36 (SF‐36) scores, routinely used in the assessment of SLE patients, would indicate the absence or presence of depression. Methods. The Depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS‐D) and the SF‐36 were applied in a cross‐sectional cohort of 60 SLE patients [mean age 45 (s.d. 15) yr, disease duration 11 (9) yr, 90% female, 100% Caucasians]. The SF‐36 domain score with the closest association with HADS‐D was used for further analysis. On the basis of HADS‐D scores, the patients were split into two groups: one without depression (score<8) and the other with possible depression (score ≥8). Results. The SF‐36 Mental Health score was most closely correlated to the depression score (ρ=−0.69, P<0.0005). The calculated Mental Health score cut‐off value which significantly differentiated possibly depressed from non‐depressed SLE patients was 61. Its sensitivity for the detection of possible depression was 89%, its specificity 77% and its negative predictive value 97%. Conclusions. The present study contributes to knowledge of means of excluding depression and the prevention of underdiagnosis and undertreatment of depression in SLE patients
Stoll, T