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 ) .
Is the antidepressive effect of second-generation antidepressants a myth?
Two recent meta-analyses on second-generation antidepressants versus placebo in mild to moderate forms of major depression , based on data on all r and omized clinical trials using the  Hamilton Depression Scale ( HAMD  ) su bmi tted to FDA , have shown an effect size of approximately 0.30 in favour of antidepressants in the acute therapy of major depression . The clinical significance of an effect size at this level was found to be so poor that these meta-analyses have subscribed to the myth of an exclusively placebo-like effect of second-generation antidepressants . A re-allocation of HAMD items focusing on those items measuring severity of clinical depression , the HAMD6 , has identified effect sizes of > or=0.40 for second-generation antidepressants in placebo-controlled trials for which even a dose-response relationship can be demonstrated . In the relapse-prevention phase during continuation therapy of patients with major depression , the advantage of second-generation antidepressants over placebo was as significant as in the acute therapy phase . To explore a myth is not to deny the facts but rather to re-allocate them
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 ) .