French-language Version Research Articles

DVD Reviews

The Threepenny Opera (1931) Germany Director G.W. Pabst Screenplay Bla Balzs, Lo Lania and Ladislaus Vajda From the play by Bertolt Brecht Songs composed by Kurt Weill Cinematography Fritz Arno Wagner Editor Hans Oser Art Direction Andrej Andrejew With Rudolf Forster (Mackie Messer), Carola Neher (Polly), Reinhold Schnzel (Tiger Brown), Fritz Rasp (Peachum), Valeska Gert (Mrs Peachum), Lotte Lenya (Jenny), Hermann Thimig (The Vicar), Ernst Busch (The Street Singer); French version Florelle (Polly), Albert Prjean (Mackie), Margo Lion (Jenny), Gaston Modot (Peachum), Jacques Henley (Tiger Brown) Runtime 110 minutes (German version), 102 minutes (French version) DVD United States, 2007 Produced and Distributed by The Criterion Collection (region 1, NTSC) Aspect Ratio 1.19:1 Extras New, restored high-definition transfer, made from a new film restoration element from the Bundesarchiv in Germany. Audio commentary by scholars David Bathrick and Eric Rentshler. Archival introduction by Threepenny stars Fritz Rasp and Ernst Busch. New, exclusive 50-minute documentary on Threepenny's controversial journey from stage to screen. New and improved English subtitle translation. L'Opera de quat'sous, Pabst's French-language version of the film starring Albert Prjean and Florelle. A multimedia presentation by film scholar Charles O'Brien on the difference between the English and French versions. Archival interview with Fritz Rasp. Galleries and production photos by Hans Casparius and production sketches by art director Andrej Andrejew. A new essay by film critic Tony Rayns.

The savvy French consumer: a cross-cultural replication

While French consumers' adoption of broadband may slightly lag UK and Australian uptake, their adoption of various interactive technologies is rapidly increasing. The multi-dimensional 19-item consumer SAVVY scale helps to assess consumer competency – including technological sophistication, marketing literacy, and networking – and can be used for population profiling. The scale is applied to a sample of French consumers (in French language) and a sample of UK consumers (in English). The findings indicate translational equivalence for the French-language version, as well as good fit and reasonable stability of the scale in the French and UK replications. Thus the conceptual equivalence of "savvy" across cultures is supported. However, further analysis indicates that a parsimonious 10-item measurement model in the French context may be justified. The findings have implications for conceptualisation and assessment of consumer savvy across cultures. The implications for research and practice, as well as the study limitations, are discussed.

STOPP-START: Adaptation en langue française d’un outil de détection de la prescription médicamenteuse inappropriée chez la personne âgée

STOPP-START is a screening tool for detecting inappropriate prescriptions in older people. Recently validated in its English-language version, it is a reliable and easy-to-use tool, allowing assessment of prescription drugs often described as inappropriate (STOPP) or unnecessarily underused (START) in this population. An adaptation of the tool into French language is presented here. A translation-back translation method, with validation of the obtained version by French-speaking experts from Belgium, Canada, France and Switzerland, has been used. An inter-rater reliability analysis completed the validation process. Fifty data sets of patients hospitalized in an academic geriatrics department (mean age +/- standard deviation: 77.6 +/- 7.9 years; 70% were women) were analyzed independently by one geriatrician and one general practitioner. The adaptation in French considers the 87 STOPP-START criteria of the original version. They are all organized according to physiological systems. The 50 data sets involved 418 prescribed medications (median 8; inter-quartile range 5-12). The proportions of positive and negative inter-observer agreements were 99% and 95% respectively for STOPP, and 99% and 88% for START; Cohen's kappa-coefficients were 0.95 for STOPP and 0.92 for START. These results indicated an excellent inter-rater agreement. Therefore, this French language version of STOPP-START is as reliable as the original English language version of the tool. For STOPP-START to have tangible clinical benefit to patients, a randomized controlled trial must be undertaken to demonstrate efficacy in the prevention of adverse clinical events connected with inappropriate prescriptions.

STOPP-START: Adaptation en langue française d’un outil de détection de la prescription médicamenteuse inappropriée chez la personne âgée

Objective: STOPP-START is a screening tool for detecting inappropriate prescriptions in older people. Recently validated in its English-language version, it is a reliable and easy-to-use tool, allowing assessment of prescription drugs often described as inappropriate (STOPP) or unnecessarily underused (START) in this population. An adaptation of the tool into French language is presented here. Method: A translation-back translation method, with validation of the obtained version by French-speaking experts from Belgium, Canada, France and Switzerland, has been used. An inter-rater reliability analysis completed the validation process. Fifty data sets of patients hospitalized in an academic geriatrics department (mean age ± standard deviation: 77.6 ± 7.9 years; 70% were women) were analyzed independently by one geriatrician and one general practitioner. Results: The adaptation in French considers the 87 STOPP-START criteria of the original version. They are all organized according to physiological systems. The 50 data sets involved 418 prescribed medications (median 8; inter-quartile range 5-12). The proportions of positive and negative inter-observer agreements were 99% and 95% respectively for STOPP, and 99% and 88% for START; Cohen’s k-coefficients were 0.95 for STOPP and 0.92 for START. These results indicated an excellent inter-rater agreement. Conclusion: Therefore, this French language version of STOPP-START is as reliable as the original English language version of the tool. For STOPP-START to have tangible clinical benefit to patients, a randomized controlled trial must be undertaken to demonstrate efficacy in the prevention of adverse clinical events connected with inappropriate prescriptions. Key words: STOPP START; inappropriate prescription; omission of prescription; adverse drugs event; screening tool; elderly

Transcultural adaptation and psychometric validation of a French-language version of the QoL-AD

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties and the transcultural adaptation into French of the quality-of-life in Alzheimer's disease (QoL-AD). Methods: A total of 120 patient-proxy pairs were recruited in six French hospitals and one French-speaking Swiss hospital to take part in the study. The patients presented mild to moderate AD (MMSE ≥ 10). The QoL-AD was administered by an interviewer for patients and was self-administered for caregiver proxies. Thus, the psychometric validation enabled the study of feasibility, acceptability, reliability and convergent and discriminant validity of the instrument. Results: The French version of the QoL-AD showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α coefficient ≥ 0.70) and good reliability (Intra-class correlation > 0.80) at a 2-week interval, for patient and caregiver questionnaires. Convergent validity, as indicated by correlation between the QoL-AD (disease-specific instrument) and the dimensions of the Duke Health Profile (generic instrument), was also good for eight dimensions in the Duke profile (p < 0.05). Discriminant validity showed a significant difference for depression (p = 0.0025) and did not show significant difference for two groups of dementia (p = 0.11). Conclusion: There is now a validated French version of the QoL-AD available, following transcultural adaptation according to international recommendations, which possesses good psychometric qualities.

Interexaminer agreement of clinical examination of the neck in manual medicine

Objectives To assess interexaminer agreement in a structured, manual, clinical examination of the neck. To correlate these data with the score in a functional questionnaire (a validated, French-language version of the neck pain and disability scale). Patients Fifty-nine ambulatory patients (26 males and 33 females, mean ± SD age: 46.3 ± 12 yrs) with common neck pain but no radiation below the elbow. Methods Two medical practitioners (a junior and a senior consultant) assessed neck rotation (in degrees) and the presence of pain during maximum neck flexion and extension, muscle palpation trapezius, levator scapulae, splenius cervicis, semispinalis) and cervical spine palpation. Cohen's kappa coefficient was calculated for qualitative variables. Angular rotational values (as a continuous variable) were compared using the p coefficient. Pearson coefficient was used to correlate the number of tender spots to the results of the questionnaire. Results There was no significant interexaminer difference (±10°) in the neck rotation measurement. Kappa was (i) 0.71 and 0.76 for pain in flexion or extension, respectively, (ii) 0.44 on average for palpation of various muscles and (iii) 0.53 on average for cervical spine palpation. The number of tender spots correlated strongly with the questionnaire score (Pearson's coefficient: 0.35; p = 0.007). Conclusion The interexaminer agreement for our clinical examination was moderate. The number of tender spots correlated strongly with the functional impairment. Pain at the lower attachment of the levator scapulae was associated with dysfunction of the median or upper cervical spine.

Validation of a French language version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS)

BackgroundAn English language oral health-related negative impact scale for 0–5 year old infants (the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale [ECOHIS]) has recently been developed and validated. The overall aim of our study was to validate a French version of the ECOHIS. The objectives were to investigate the scale's: i) internal consistency; ii) test-retest reliability; iii) convergent validity; and iv) discriminant validity.MethodsData were collected from two separate samples. Firstly, from 398 parents of children aged 12 months, recruited to a community-based intervention study, and secondly from 94 parents of 0–5 year-old children attending a hospital dental clinic. In a sub-sample of 101 of the community-based group, the scale was distributed a second time two weeks after initial evaluation. Internal consistency was evaluated through generation of Cronbach's alpha, test-retest reliability through intra-class-correlation coefficients (ICC), convergent validity through comparing scale total scores with a global evaluation of oral health and discriminant validity through investigation of differences in total scale scores between the community- and clinic-based samples.ResultsCronbach's alpha for both the child and family impact sections was 0.79, and for the whole scale was 0.82. The ICC was 0.95. Mean ECOHIS scores for parents rating their child's oral health as "relatively poor", "good" and "very good" were 10.8, 3.4 and 2.7 respectively. In the community- and clinic-based samples, the mean ECOHIS scores were 3.7 and 4.9 respectively.ConclusionThese results suggest this French language version of the ECOHIS is valid.

French translation of the Multidimensional Pain Inventory: L'inventaire multidimensionnel de la douleur.

The Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) is a widely used tool in the evaluation of pain conditions. This questionnaire has been translated and validated in multiple languages. However, there is no validated French-language version available for clinicians and researchers interested in evaluating people living with pain. The main objective of the present project was to make available a validated French-language evaluation tool for the cognitive, behavioural and emotional aspects of pain. Following a reverse translation of the MPI, a French-language version of the questionnaire, the Inventaire multidimensionnel de la douleur, that was presented to 227 participants living with chronic pain, was obtained. These participants were all involved in a rehabilitation program in four different settings. A series of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses was executed. Although three items were removed from the original version of the MPI, the three sections of the Inventaire multidimensionnel de la douleur had good psychometric properties. The results concerning the questionnaire's structure were very similar to those obtained with the original tool and during its translation into other languages. People wishing to evaluate pain in French-speaking populations now have access to a French-language version of the MPI.

Adaptation de la PCL-SV à l’évaluation des adolescents suivis en Centre jeunesse : une étude préliminaire

A number of studies have shown the assessment of psychopathy to provide a useful basis for predicting adult criminal recidivism. However, where research on delinquent adolescents is concerned, the findings have been derived from rather small samples, such that additional investigation is warranted. The objective of the present study is to conduct an initial examination of the reliability and validity of the French-language version of the “Psychopathy Checklist Screening Version” (PCL:SV) and to compare results against several other samples reported in the literature. The sample of this study included 48 young people ages from 15 to 19 who were recruited from three Centres jeunesse du Québec (Quebec youth centres). All of the youths selected had exhibited a conduct disorder or delinquent behaviour during adolescence. Psychopathy assessment performed using PCL:SV shows good internal consistency of scales, along with very satisfactory inter-rater reliability. Correlations between PCL:SV and related indices (antisocial personality disorder; frequency and range of delinquent of delinquent activities; frequency and range of use of psychoactive substances, etc.) occur much as expected. On the whole, the psychometric properties of the scale are similar to those using adult samples or to other versions of PCL (PCL-R revised or PCL-YV). This study also puts forward a number of recommendations concerning the pursuit of work validating the French-language version of this scale.

Psychometric properties of a French-language version of the stage of change readiness and treatment eagerness scale (SOCRATES)

The Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES) is an instrument designed to measure motivation to change behavioural and psychological problems. While the original that described a three-factor structure of the scale has been replicated by some studies, some others found rather a two-factor structure. The factor structure may vary if used in different care settings, as there tends to be considerable differences in the severity of substance abuse problems and in the perception of these problems between individuals. All previously published validation studies have used the scale to assess the motivational status with regard to alcohol consumption. The scale has, however, been used for other drugs, often in mixed samples using different drugs. No study has reported on the utility of SOCRATES for this. Notably, no study has tested whether the factor structure was maintained when using the scale addressing different drugs. The objective of the present study is to address this concern and to establish the factor-structure of a French version of the SOCRATES in different groups of patients presenting different substance-abuse problems. Methods: The study was realised in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. The SOCRATES scores of four groups of patients were included in the present analyses: 90 hospitalised multi-drug dependent patients, 11 cannabis-abusing schizophrenic patients, and 24 tobacco smokers. The terms used in addressing patients’ motivation were “drugs”, “cannabis” or “smoking”. Results: A PCA followed by a varimax rotation revealed a three-factor solution. Only one item was clearly classified as being part of another than the original factor (item 14 in Recognition instead of Taking steps). Cronbach's alpha were 0.90 for Recognition, 0.73 for Ambivalence, and 0.91 for Taking Steps. Conclusions: The factor-structure of the French language version of the SOCRATES applied to different groups of patients presenting different substance abuse problems corresponded almost exactly to that originally proposed by Miller and Tonigan (Miller WR, Tonigan JS. . Assessing drinkers’ motivations for change: The stages of change readiness and treatment eagerness scale (SOCRATES). Psychology of Addictive Behaviours 10:81–89) supporting the internal validity of the SOCRATES. The present data suggest that the type of drug can be changed without changing internal consistency and construct validity of the French version of the SOCRATES.

Relations entre le Big Five Inventory français et le manuel diagnostique des troubles mentaux dans un échantillon clinique français

The Big Five Inventory (BFI) was designed to provide researchers and clinicians with an efficient measure of individual differences on the so-called Big Five factors of normal personality: Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness to Experience. The present article has two objectives: a) to introduce the BFI-Français, a French language version of the BFI; and b) to use the BFI-Français to study the relations between normal personality traits and the DSM classification of psychiatric disorders. Three French samples (161 medical students, 200 hospital employees, 106 psychiatric inpatients) completed the 44-item BFI-Français. DSM-IV diagnoses were made for each inpatient. The psychometric data obtained from the combined French samples were compared to US and Spanish samples. Means, standard deviations, internal consistency reliabilities, and factor structure were similar in all samples; thus, the BFI-Français provides an efficient, psychometrically sound way to measure the five personality factors in French samples. As expected, scores on the BFI-Français were related systematically to DSM diagnoses on both Axis I and II. Findings were consistent with the recent literature; since past research has relied primarily on Anglo-American and non-clinical samples, the present findings contribute importantly to establishing the generality of the links between personality traits and DSM.

Reliability and Validity of the French Version of the Tobacco Craving Questionnaire

Objectives: (1) To assess the factorial structure, reliability and validity of the French language version of the Tobacco Craving Questionnaire (TCQ), a multidimensional, self-report instrument evaluating tobacco craving, to allow its use in French-speaking populations. (2) To compare the two different language versions of the same instrument in 2 independent samples from 2 cultures in 2 distinct time periods. Methods: The French TCQ was administered to 226 current cigarette smokers after at least 2 h of abstinence. Results: Despite the substantial difference in population characteristics between the French and American samples of smokers, both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the French version was best described by a 4-factor solution, similar to the original English version. Reliability estimates were 0.83, 0.79, 0.69 and 0.66 for the French and 0.82, 0.70, 0.75 and 0.48 for the English version for ‘emotionality’ (factor 1), ‘expectancy’ (factor 2), ‘compulsivity’ (factor 3) and ‘purposefulness’ (factor 4), respectively. The 4 factors accounted for 11.6, 17.1, 9.0, and 9.5% of the total variance in emotionality, expectancy, compulsivity, and purposefulness, respectively, for the French compared to 14.2, 12.5, 14.4 and 5% of the total variance for the English version, respectively. Conclusion: The French version of the TCQ is as valid and reliable instrument as the original English version and assesses the same 4 dimensions of craving for tobacco.

Prevalence of social phobia in a clinical sample of drug dependent patients

Introduction Social phobia is among the most frequent psychiatric disorders and can be classified into two subtypes, nongeneralized and generalized. Whereas it significantly worsens the morbidity of comorbid substance abuse disorders, and it often is associated with reduced treatment responses, there is still lacking data on its prevalence in clinical populations of drug abusing patients. Methods The study sample consisted of 75 inpatients and 75 outpatients meeting DSM-IV criteria for drug dependence. Symptoms of social phobia were assessed with the French-language version of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Results Prevalence rate were 20% for the generalized subtype and 42.6% for the nongeneralized subtype. Gender difference emerged in the severity of fear, women reporting significantly greater fear relating to performance situations than men. Conclusions An important proportion of patients with substance dependence present a comorbid generalized or nongeneralized social phobia. Early recognition of social phobia and adequate interventions is warranted for these patients in order to improve their treatment response with regard to quality of life and relapse prevention.

Associations between smoking and heritable temperament traits.

Cloninger's neuropsychopharmacological theory identifies heritable temperament traits that are linked to neurotransmitter activity. We tested whether these traits were associated with smoking. The four temperament dimensions of the French-language version of the Temperament and Character Inventory were assessed in three distinct samples recruited on the Internet in 2000-2001. Novelty Seeking (NS) was measured in 775 people, Reward Dependence (RD) in 1,383 people, and Harm Avoidance (HA) and Persistence (P) in 823 people. HA (2.1 points, p.03) and NS (3.2 points, p.01) were lower in never-smokers than in ever-smokers. RD (.6 point, p.01) and P (.5 point, p.01) were lower in former smokers than in current smokers. The level of tobacco dependence was associated with the NS subscore Extravagance (.1 point on the Heaviness of Smoking Index per point on Extravagance, p.01). Motivation to quit smoking was positively associated with the RD subscore Sentimentality (.1 point on a 0-10 scale of motivation per point on Sentimentality, p.01) and negatively with the HA subscore Fear of Uncertainty (.2 point of motivation per point, p.01). Among ex-smokers, age at smoking cessation was negatively associated with P (.5 year per point on P, p.02) and positively associated with the HA subscore Fatigability (.3 year per point, p.04) and with the NS subscore Disorderliness (.3 year per point, p.03). Smoking is associated with heritable temperament traits. Consequences for the treatment and prevention of tobacco dependence are discussed.

Equivalence of French and English Language Versions of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) among Caregivers of Persons with Dementia

ABSTRACTThe Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) is among the most widely used depression screening measures. Existing research suggests a higher-order factor structure of responses among older adults (factors labelled depressive affect, absence of well-being, somatic symptoms, and interpersonal affect, each loading upon a second-order depression factor). The current study extends this research to ascertain whether this structure is equivalent (or invariant) between the English and French versions of the CES-D. Findings suggest that the number and relative contribution of each factor is similar for both language groups. Furthermore, interpretation of CES-D items is statistically indistinguishable for 16 of 20 items within this randomly identified, national sample of caregivers of persons with dementia. Results of this study support the higher-order factor structure of this measure and provide data in support of the reliability of responses. Furthermore, findings support the use of the CES-D in cross-cultural and comparative research with English- and French-speaking adults.

Validité de lˈutilisation de la version francophone de lˈéchelle de Québec chez des lombalgiques chroniques de culture française

Objectives. The primary objectives were to evaluate the acceptability in France of the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS) in its original French-language version and to study its correlational validity against indicators of impairment, pain, disability, psychological status, and perceived health status. Methods. Thirty-two patients with chronic low back pain were recruited at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of a French hospital. A physical examination was performed for determination of an impairment score, and scales were completed for pain (visual analog scale and Saint-Antoine Questionnaire), disability (QBPDS and Dallas Scale 〚DS〛), perceived health status (Nottingham Health Profile, NHP), and psychological status (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS). Results. Acceptability, internal consistency, and content validity of the QBPDS were satisfactory. Investigation of correlational validity showed good agreement with the DPQ ( r=0.755) and NHP ( r=0.739) and fair agreement with the impairment score ( r=0.449), the VAS pain score ( r=0.448), and the HADS score ( r=0.473). The QBPDS showed good discriminating power. Validity of the QBPDS was confirmed. Discussion. Our results confirm the good measurement properties of the original French-language version of the QBPDS in French hospital-clinic patients with chronic low back pain. Comparison of the QBPDS and DPQ in this study shows that the QBPDS is better for evaluating disability, whereas the DPQ evaluates the overall, functional, psychological, and social impact of low back pain.

Validity of the French-language version of the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale in low back pain patients in France

Objectives. The primary objectives were to evaluate the acceptability in France of the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS) in its original French-language version and to study its correlational validity against indicators of impairment, pain, disability, psychological status, and perceived health status. Material and methods. Thirty-two patients with chronic low back pain were recruited at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of a French hospital. A physical examination was performed for determination of an impairment score, and scales were completed for pain (visual analog scale and Saint-Antoine Questionnaire), disability (QBPDS and Dallas Scale 〚DS〛), perceived health status (Nottingham Health Profile, NHP), and psychological status (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS). Results. Acceptability, internal consistency, and content validity of the QBPDS were satisfactory. Investigation of correlational validity showed good agreement with the DPQ (r = 0.755) and NHP (r = 0.739) and fair agreement with the impairment score (r = 0.449), the VAS pain score (r = 0.448), and the HADS score (r = 0.473). The QBPDS showed good discriminating power. Validity of the QBPDS was confirmed. Discussion. Our results confirm the good measurement properties of the original French-language version of the QBPDS in French hospital-clinic patients with chronic low back pain. Comparison of the QBPDS and DPQ in this study shows that the QBPDS is better for evaluating disability, whereas the DPQ evaluates the overall, functional, psychological, and social impact of low back pain.

Olanzapine vs. chlorpromazine — 6 weeks treatment of acute schizophrenia

The aim of this study was to investigate the concurrent validity of the French language version of the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenics (CDSS). Ninety-five schizophrenic patients meeting the DSM-III-R criteria were enrolled in the study. The depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenics (CDSS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Montgomery and Asberg Rating Scale (MADRS), and Widlocher Psychomotor Retardation Scale (ERD). The psychotic symptoms were evaluated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the extrapyramidal symptoms with the Extrapyramidal Syndrome Rating Scale (ESRS). The CDDS was significantly correlated with all the conventional depression-rating scales. We only found significant positive correlations between the CDSS and the PANSS-positive sub-scale. The CDSS total score was significantly correlated with some PANSS-positive items (delusions and hallucinatory behaviour). No significant correlation between the depression-rating scales and the PANSS-negative sub-scale was observed. For all the depression-rating scales, no correlation with the extrapyramidal symptom was evidenced. The results confirmed the validity of the CDSS in the evaluation of depression in schizophrenia. The relationship between depression and the positive symptoms of schizophrenia is discussed.

Study of the concurrent validity of the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenics (CDSS)

The aim of this study was to investigate the concurrent validity of the French language version of the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenics (CDSS). Ninety-five schizophrenic patients meeting the DSM-III-R criteria were enrolled in the study. The depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenics (CDSS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Montgomery and Asberg Rating Scale (MADRS), and Widlocher Psychomotor Retardation Scale (ERD). The psychotic symptoms were evaluated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the extrapyramidal symptoms with the Extrapyramidal Syndrome Rating Scale (ESRS). The CDDS was significantly correlated with all the conventional depression-rating scales. We only found significant positive correlations between the CDSS and the PANSS-positive sub-scale. The CDSS total score was significantly correlated with some PANSS-positive items (delusions and hallucinatory behaviour). No significant correlation between the depression-rating scales and the PANSS-negative sub-scale was observed. For all the depression-rating scales, no correlation with the extrapyramidal symptom was evidenced. The results confirmed the validity of the CDSS in the evaluation of depression in schizophrenia. The relationship between depression and the positive symptoms of schizophrenia is discussed.

Evaluation of depression in schizophrenia: psychometric properties of a French version of the Calgary Depression Scale

The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties (especially validity and reliability) of the French language version of the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) in schizophrenic patients. Ninety-five subjects who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia were enrolled. The studies of the internal structural validity and of the reliability (internal consistency) showed that some items from the CDSS (early awakening and guilty ideas of reference) must be discussed in the constitution of this scale. The total score of the CDSS was significantly correlated with the MADRS total score, the HDRS total score, and the depression item (G6) on the PANSS, which suggests that the CDSS is a valid instrument for the assessment of depression in schizophrenia. The existence of a significant correlation between the CDSS total score and the PANSS positive sub-scale suggests a possible relationship between positive and depressive symptoms in schizophrenia.