A comparison of depression rating scales.

In a comparison of assessment methods of severity of depressive illness, the Montgomery-Asberg Scale had, broadly, a performance equal to the Hamilton Scale. The Beck Depression Inventory, it subscale, and the Wakefield Inventory all had overall poor performances and should now be abandoned in research. The two-patient-rated scales were, overall, similar and fairly satisfactory measures. The comparisons were at points in severity of illness and not on change of severity.