Identifying depression in older patients in the ED (Version 1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Identifying depression in older patients in the emergency department – assessing the efficacy of a two-stage screening tool.
IRAS ID
195964
Contact name
Ian Sammy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Salford Royal Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 5 days
Research summary
Depression is a common condition in older patient presenting to the emergency department, affecting up to 1 in 4 patients. However the diagnosis is difficult to make and often missed. In other countries questionnaires have been developed to try and identify older patient who have depression. The overall aim of this study is to test the accuracy of one such questionnaire when used to diagnose depression in older patients in a UK population. Ultimately we hope that the findings of the study will lead to quicker diagnosis and treatment, and better quality of life for affected patients. The study will assess the ability of a two stage questionnaire to identify patients with depression in the emergency department compared with an assessment by a specialist psychiatrist.
Patients aged 65 and over will be asked to take part in the study. Any patients who are too unwell or unable to provide informed consent will not be included in the study. The study will take place in the emergency department of Salford Royal Hospital.
Patients included in the study will complete a questionnaire (administered by two emergency medicine doctors or nurse practitioners separately) followed by a formal assessment by specialist psychiatric nurse. The questionnaire has three initial questions. If any of these indicate possible depression, then a further 15 questions will be asked. The results of the questionnaire will be compared to the findings of the specialist psychiatrist. The patients will only be in study for the length of time taken to complete the assessments. This is anticipated to be no longer than 12 hours. Any patients diagnosed with depression will be offered appropriate support and further assessment. The possibility that our assessment will lead to an offer of help/treatment will be mentioned in the research information sheet.REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SW/0068
Date of REC Opinion
14 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion