1
|
Brehaut E, Neupane D, Levis B, Wu Y, Sun Y, Ioannidis JPA, Markham S, Cuijpers P, Patten SB, Benedetti A, Thombs BD. 'Optimal' cutoff selection in studies of depression screening tool accuracy using the PHQ-9, EPDS, or HADS-D: A meta-research study. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res 2023; 32:e1956. [PMID: 36461893 PMCID: PMC10485315 DOI: 10.1002/mpr.1956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Optimal cutoff thresholds are selected to separate 'positive' from 'negative' screening results. We evaluated how depression screening tool studies select optimal cutoffs. METHODS We included studies from previously conducted meta-analyses of Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, or Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression accuracy. Outcomes included whether an optimal cutoff was selected, method used, recommendations made, and reporting guideline and protocol citation. RESULTS Of 212 included studies, 172 (81%) attempted to identify an optimal cutoff, and 147 of these 172 (85%) reported one or more methods. Methods were heterogeneous with Youden's J (N = 35, 23%) most common. Only 23 of 147 (16%) studies described a rationale for their method. Rationales focused on balancing sensitivity and specificity without describing why desirable. 131 of 172 studies (76%) identified an optimal cutoff other than the standard; most did not make use recommendations (N = 56; 43%) or recommended using a non-standard cutoff (N = 53; 40%). Only 4 studies cited a reporting guideline, and 4 described a protocol with optimal cutoff selection methods, but none used the protocol method in the published study. CONCLUSIONS Research is needed to guide how selection of cutoffs for depression screening tools can be standardized and reflect clinical considerations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eliana Brehaut
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical ResearchJewish General HospitalMontréalQuébecCanada
| | - Dipika Neupane
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical ResearchJewish General HospitalMontréalQuébecCanada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational HealthMcGill UniversityMontréalQuébecCanada
| | - Brooke Levis
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical ResearchJewish General HospitalMontréalQuébecCanada
- Centre for Prognosis ResearchSchool of MedicineKeele UniversityStaffordshireUK
| | - Yin Wu
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical ResearchJewish General HospitalMontréalQuébecCanada
- Department of PsychiatryMcGill UniversityMontréalQuébecCanada
| | - Ying Sun
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical ResearchJewish General HospitalMontréalQuébecCanada
| | - John P. A. Ioannidis
- Department of MedicineDepartment of Epidemiology and Population HealthDepartment of Biomedical Data ScienceDepartment of Statisticsand Meta‐Research Innovation Center at Stanford (METRICS)Stanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sarah Markham
- Department of Biostatistics and Health InformaticsKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Pim Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental PsychologyAmsterdam Public Health Research InstituteVrije UniversiteitAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Scott B. Patten
- Department of Community Health SciencesUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada
| | - Andrea Benedetti
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational HealthMcGill UniversityMontréalQuébecCanada
- Department of MedicineMcGill UniversityMontréalQuébecCanada
- Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research UnitMcGill University Health CentreMontréalQuébecCanada
| | - Brett D. Thombs
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical ResearchJewish General HospitalMontréalQuébecCanada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational HealthMcGill UniversityMontréalQuébecCanada
- Department of PsychiatryMcGill UniversityMontréalQuébecCanada
- Department of MedicineMcGill UniversityMontréalQuébecCanada
- Department of PsychologyMcGill UniversityMontréalQuébecCanada
- Biomedical Ethics UnitMcGill UniversityMontréalQuébecCanada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nassar EL, Levis B, Neyer MA, Rice DB, Booij L, Benedetti A, Thombs BD. Transparency and completeness of reporting of depression screening tool accuracy studies: A meta-research review of adherence to the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies statement. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res 2023; 32:e1939. [PMID: 36047034 PMCID: PMC9976600 DOI: 10.1002/mpr.1939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Accurate and complete study reporting allows evidence users to critically appraise studies, evaluate possible bias, and assess generalizability and applicability. We evaluated the extent to which recent studies on depression screening accuracy were reported consistent with Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (STARD) statement requirements. METHODS MEDLINE was searched from January 1, 2018 through May 21, 2021 for depression screening accuracy studies. RESULTS 106 studies were included. Of 34 STARD items or sub-items, the number of adequately reported items per study ranged from 7 to 18 (mean = 11.5, standard deviation [SD] = 2.5; median = 11.5), and the number inadequately reported ranged from 3 to 17 (mean = 10.1, SD = 2.5; median = 10.0). There were eight items adequately reported, seven partially reported, 11 inadequately reported, and four not applicable in ≥50% of studies; the remaining four items had mixed reporting. Items inadequately reported in ≥70% of studies related to the rationale for index test cut-offs examined, missing data management, analyses of variability in accuracy results, sample size determination, participant flow, study registration, and study protocol. CONCLUSION Recently published depression screening accuracy studies are not optimally reported. Journals should endorse and implement STARD adherence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elsa-Lynn Nassar
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Brooke Levis
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre for Prognosis Research, School of Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK
| | - Marieke A Neyer
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Danielle B Rice
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Linda Booij
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Andrea Benedetti
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Brett D Thombs
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Biomedical Ethics Unit, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|