Abstract
The research on the diagnostic accuracy of Spanish language depression-screening instruments continues to be scarce in the US. Under-detection of depression by Primary Care Providers is approximately 50 % in the general population and this rate may be even higher for Latino immigrants for whom the depression rate tends to be higher than for non-Hispanic Whites. This systematic review shows that there is still limited evidence that guides primary care-based depression screening for Spanish speakers. The economic, social, and human costs of depression are high and complex; yet improvements in the effectiveness of treatment cannot be made available to sufferers of the disorder if they go undetected.

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Appendix: Data Extraction Form
Appendix: Data Extraction Form
Study ID | First author | Years | Country | Language of administration | Date of reviewing | Reviewers initials | Any missed References (yes, no, do separate list) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Where sample was recruited | Clinical type: community, depressed, women | Outcomes: (verify depression is included, yes, no) | Study designs: Case study Cross-section RCT Other | Inclusion criteria | Exclusion criteria | Cut-off(s) reported | Was cut-off compared to minor, major, depression or unstated? Indicate for both cut-offs |
Recruitment procedures: consecutive/random/add hock | Type of depression | All tests used | Quality grade (see table provided) | Name of interview used | Structured/semi-structured | Interviewer’s qualification | Interviewer trained to use interview? |
Reference for interview | No. of participants available (original population) | % of those below cut-off | % of those above cut-off | % of sample not completing instrument | How was the instrument administered? | Delay b/w instrument interview? | Sensitivity |
Specificity | LR +ve (1-sens)/spec | Diagnostic OR (LR +ve/LR −ve | PPV | NPV | Data to be requested from authors |
*Study design
Case–control The comparison of individuals with a certain illness to similar healthy individuals. Matched by age, sex or other factors in order t define risk factors for the illness.
Cross-sectional The observation of a defined population at a single point in time or time interval. Exposure and outcomes are determined simultaneously.
RCT A true prospective experiment in which investigators randomly assign an eligible sample of patients to one or more groups and a control group and follow patient’s outcomes.
**Interview
Structured The interview has been specifically designed to diagnose depression in a given individual (it may also define other psychiatric conditions). There are specific questions and all relevant questions are asked of all interviews—the focus is quantitative.
Semi-structured The interview has been designed to elicit a number of different subjects or themes. Although there are set questions, the interviewer may choose to enquire further about areas of interest—the focus is qualitative. For this study, only structured interviews are eligible for inclusion.
Grade | Test accuracy |
---|---|
A | High quality studies with a blind comparison of test to reference standard in an appropriate population spectrum |
B | Any one or two of the following Narrow population spectrum Differential use of reference standard Reference standard not blind Case control study |
C | Any three or more of the above |
D | Expert opinion |
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Limon, F.J., Lamson, A.L., Hodgson, J. et al. Screening for Depression in Latino Immigrants: A Systematic Review of Depression Screening Instruments Translated into Spanish. J Immigrant Minority Health 18, 787–798 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-015-0321-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-015-0321-y