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 ) .
The Hamilton Depression Scale
The consistency of the Hamilton Depression Scale  ( HDS ) as a measure of the severity of depressive states has been examined when the scale was used weekly during a trial with imipramine . By use of logistic models ( Rasch ) the consistency of the HDS has been considered across patient‐variables as age , sex , plasma levels of imipramine , and diagnosis . The results showed that the original 17‐item HDS was without adequate consistency , i.e. the total score of the sample of items was no one‐dimensional measure of depressive states . However , a melancholia subscale of the HDS contained items the total of which can be used to compare patients quantitatively , although in some part of the analysis one of these items showed ceiling effect . It was concluded that the melancholia sub‐scale ( containing the items depressed mood , guilt , work and interests , retardation , psychic anxiety , and general somatic symptoms ) can form the basis for further improvements in the field of quantitative rating scales for depressive states
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 ) .