Validation of NARCOMS Depression Scale

Abstract

Participants in the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) registry report depression with one question. We aimed to validate the NARCOMS depression scale against the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD) and self-reported diagnoses of depression. The NARCOMS scale correlated with the CESD (r = 0.73; 95% confidence interval 0.72–0.74), and a score ≥2 had a sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 92% for depression. Correlations between the NARCOMS scale and age and body mass index were low, indicating divergent validity, whereas correlations with pain and fatigue were moderate, indicating convergent validity. The NARCOMS depression scale has adequate criterion and construct validity in MS.