Conclusions : According to the published literature , the clinimetric properties of HAM-D6 are superior to those of both the HAM-D17 and MADRS .
Background : In a study aim ed at identifying the items carrying information regarding the global severity of depression , the 6-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HAM-D6 ) was derived from the original 17-item version of the scale ( HAM-D17 ) .
Since then , the HAM-D6 has been used in a wide range of clinical studies .
We now provide a systematic review of the clinimetric properties of HAM-D6 in comparison with those of HAM-D17 and the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale ( MADRS ) .
Alprazolam, diazepam, imipramine, and placebo in outpatients with major depression.
Two hundred forty-one out patients with a DSM-III diagnosis of major depressive disorder participated in a six-week double-blind therapeutic trial of alprazolam , diazepam , imipramine hydrochloride , and placebo .  Side effects were given as a major reason for attrition by patients taking the three active compounds and ineffectiveness was the reason given by patients taking placebo . Imipramine-treated patients reported the most and placebo patients the least number of adverse effects .  Imipramine and alprazolam , but not diazepam , produced significantly more improvement in depressed symptomatology than did placebo . Mean diazepam scores frequently assumed an intermediate position between those of imipramine or alprazolam and placebo . These treatment differences were found to be independent of initial severity levels of anxiety and depression
Conclusions : According to the published literature , the clinimetric properties of HAM-D6 are superior to those of both the HAM-D17 and MADRS .
Background : In a study aim ed at identifying the items carrying information regarding the global severity of depression , the 6-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HAM-D6 ) was derived from the original 17-item version of the scale ( HAM-D17 ) .
Since then , the HAM-D6 has been used in a wide range of clinical studies .
We now provide a systematic review of the clinimetric properties of HAM-D6 in comparison with those of HAM-D17 and the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale ( MADRS ) .