Present Use of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale: Observation on Method of Assessment in Research of Depressive Disorders

Background: The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale retains its primacy in research. There have been recent important critiques. It is clear that instructions provided by its author are widely overlooked.

Method: A survey of the present use of the HDRS was conducted by inspection of five major journals publishing studies in the field of psychiatry. Note was especially made of whether a recognised version of the Scale was quoted; also of whether authors had selected specific scores on one or other of the versions to indicate a criterion for inclusion of a subject in a study, and likewise whether a specific score had been selected as an indication of recovery following some procedure or treatment.

Results: One hundred and fourteen articles were reviewed in which 71 had used a depression scale. This was the HDRS in 66% of the studies. There was considerable evidence that the instruction that the HDRS was only to be used in situations where the patient had received a diagnosis of a primary depressive illness had been ignored. There was considerable degree of arbitrary selection of Scale scores.

Conclusion: The survey causes concern about the methodology of much research in the field as of assessment of severity of psychiatric disorder. The rationale of assessment by the rating scale method is considered and suggestion made for improvement in research practice.