Cross-cultural evaluation of the French version of the Delusion Assessment Scale (DAS) and Psychotic Depression Assessment Scale (PDAS).

Isabelle Jalenques,Bruno Pereira,Urbain Tauveron Jalenques,Florent Blanchard,For The French Das/Pdas Group ,Sophie Lauron,Chloé Rachez,Silvia Alina Nechifor,Lucile Morel,Fabien Rondepierre

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0250492

Abstract

Major depressive disorder with psychotic features (MDDPsy), compared to nonpsychotic MDD, involves an increased risk of suicide and failure to achieve treatment response. Symptom scales can be useful to assess patients with MDDPsy. The aim of the present study was to validate French versions of the Delusion Assessment Scale (DAS) and Psychotic Depression Assessment Scale (PDAS). One hundred patients were included. The scales were filled out by psychiatrists. Data from participants who accepted a second interview were used for inter-judge reliability. The scalability and psychometric properties of both scales were assessed. Data from 94 patients were used. Owing to low score variability between patients, the predefined threshold for scalability (≥0.40) was not reached for both scales. Factorial analysis of the DAS identified five factors, different from those of the original version. Five factors were also identified in the PDAS, of which two comprised items from the HDRS and the other three items from the BPRS. Floor and ceiling effects were observed in both scales, due in part to the construction of certain subscales. Unlike the PDAS, the DAS had good internal consistency. Multiple correlations were observed between the DAS dimensions but none between those of the PDAS. Both scales showed good inter-judge reliability. Convergent validity analyses showed correlations with HDRS, BPRS and CGI. Inter-judge reliability was calculated from a relatively small number of volunteers. The good psychometric properties of the French versions of the DAS and PDAS could help in assessing MDDPsy, in particular its psychotic features, and hence improve response to treatment and prognosis.

Highlights

Major depressive disorder with psychotic features (MDDPsy) is defined by the presence of delusions and/or hallucinations during the episode of major depression [1]
Five factors were identified in the Psychotic Depression Assessment Scale (PDAS), of which two comprised items from the HDRS and the other three items from the BPRS
The good psychometric properties of the French versions of the Delusion Assessment Scale (DAS) and PDAS could help in assessing MDDPsy, in particular its psychotic features, and improve response to treatment and prognosis

Summary

Introduction

Major depressive disorder with psychotic features (MDDPsy) is defined by the presence of delusions and/or hallucinations during the episode of major depression [1]. MDDPsy is characterized by a greater depressive symptom severity and a higher probability of melancholic features. Patients with MDDPsy have a greater risk of suicide than nonpsychotic MDD patients [5, 6]. They have greater probability of inpatient treatment. MDDPsy patients are more likely not to achieve treatment response than nonpsychotic MDD patients [4]. Major depressive disorder with psychotic features (MDDPsy), compared to nonpsychotic MDD, involves an increased risk of suicide and failure to achieve treatment response. Symptom scales can be useful to assess patients with MDDPsy. The aim of the present study was to validate French versions of the Delusion Assessment Scale (DAS) and Psychotic Depression Assessment Scale (PDAS)

Objectives

Results

Conclusion