Clinical Overview
The Major (ICD-10) Depression Inventory (MDI) is a 12-item self-report assessment instrument developed by Dr. Per Bech and colleagues to evaluate depression symptoms according to both DSM-IV and ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. This dual-purpose scale uniquely allows clinicians to assess depression severity using either diagnostic framework, making it particularly valuable for international research and clinical applications. The MDI systematically evaluates the core symptoms of major depression including depressed mood, anhedonia, fatigue, concentration difficulties, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, psychomotor symptoms, guilt, and suicidal ideation. Each item is rated on a 6-point scale ranging from “at no time” to “all the time,” providing detailed assessment of symptom frequency and severity over the past two weeks. The scale can function both as a diagnostic tool using specific algorithms and as a dimensional measure of depression severity, offering flexibility for various clinical and research applications.
Key Validation Points
- Dual Diagnostic Validation – Extensively validated for both DSM-IV and ICD-10 diagnostic criteria with established sensitivity and specificity for major depression
- Strong Psychometric Properties – Demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.90) and test-retest reliability across diverse populations
- International Validation – Successfully validated across multiple countries and cultural contexts with established measurement invariance
- Diagnostic Accuracy – Proven sensitivity (86-92%) and specificity (82-86%) for detecting major depression using established algorithms
- Treatment Sensitivity – Demonstrated responsiveness to antidepressant medications and psychotherapy with ability to detect clinically meaningful changes
- Research Foundation – Extensively used in international depression research with numerous peer-reviewed publications supporting its clinical utility and validity
Primary Use Cases
- Dual Diagnostic Framework Assessment – Unique ability to assess depression according to both DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria within a single instrument
- Depression Severity Measurement – Dimensional assessment of depression symptom severity with established cut-off points for mild, moderate, and severe depression
- Clinical Diagnostic Support – Structured assessment tool to support clinical diagnosis of major depressive disorder using standardized algorithms
- International Research Applications – Validated instrument for cross-cultural depression research requiring compatibility with different diagnostic systems
- Treatment Outcome Monitoring – Longitudinal assessment of depression symptom changes following antidepressant treatment or psychotherapy interventions
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