Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

Abbreviated brief symptom inventory for use as an anxiety and depression screening instrument in primary care.

Lang AJ, Norman SB, Means-Christensen A, Stein MB. Abbreviated brief symptom inventory for use as an anxiety and depression screening instrument in primary care. Depression and anxiety. 2009 Jan 1; 26(6):537-43.

Related HSR&D Project(s)

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.
   Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions



Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Screening for anxiety and depression in primary-care clinics has the potential to increase identification and treatment of affected patients. The feasibility of such screening, however, depends on the availability of quick, easily interpretable screening tools. METHODS: In this pair of studies, a 4-item screening instrument was developed from the depression and anxiety scales of the Brief Symptom Inventory. One sample of undergraduate volunteers was used to identify pairs of items to be included in the screener. A second sample of primary-care patients was used to evaluate the performance of these items as compared to other measures of the same construct and a standardized clinical interview. RESULTS: The studies suggest that 4 items from the Brief Symptom Inventory can be used to identify patients with depression and/or anxiety in primary care. CONCLUSIONS: Circumstances under which this measure, compared to other measures such as the Patient Health Questionnaire, would be appropriate are discussed.





Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.