Modification of DSM-IV criteria for depressed preschool children. Am J Psychiatry 2003 Jun;160(6):1169-72
Date
06/05/2003Pubmed ID
12777277DOI
10.1176/appi.ajp.160.6.1169Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0038149600 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 82 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: This study compared the severity of depression in preschoolers diagnosed by standard versus modified DSM-IV criteria for major depression.
METHOD: A group of 145 preschoolers and their caregivers underwent a diagnostic assessment for preschool children. A factor analysis of depressive symptoms from the group was performed to derive a depression severity score. Scores were compared among four groups: standard DSM-IV major depression, modified DSM-IV major depression, DSM-IV attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and/or oppositional defiant disorder, and no disorder.
RESULTS: A hierarchy in severity emerged, with significant differences among all four groups. Preschoolers meeting standard criteria displayed the highest severity, followed by those who met modified criteria. Both depressed groups had significantly higher severity than the two comparison groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Standard DSM-IV criteria captured the most severely affected preschoolers, missing a substantial proportion of children with potentially clinically significant but less severe symptoms who were captured by modified DSM-IV criteria.
Author List
Luby JL, Mrakotsky C, Heffelfinger A, Brown K, Hessler M, Spitznagel EAuthor
Amy Heffelfinger PhD Professor in the Neurology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Age FactorsAttention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Child, Preschool
Depressive Disorder
Diagnosis, Differential
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Humans
Principal Component Analysis
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychometrics
Severity of Illness Index
