Tawanchai JirapramukpitakNiphon DarawuttimaprakornSureeporn PunpuingAbas, MelanieMahidol University. Institute for Population and Social Research2011-06-102017-10-252011-06-102017-10-2520112009Aging and Mental Health. Vol.13, No.6 (2009), 899-9041364-6915 (Online)1360-7863 (Print)https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/2922Objectives: To assess the concurrent and the construct validity of the Euro-D in older Thai persons. Method: Eight local psychiatrists used the major depressive episode section of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview to interview 150 consecutive psychiatric clinic attendees. A trained interviewer administered the Euro-D. We used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to assess the overall discriminability of the Euro-D scale and principal components factor analysis to assess its construct validity. Results: The area under the ROC curve for the Euro-D with respect to major depressive episode was 0.78 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70-0.90] indicating moderately good discriminability. At a cut-point of 5/6 the sensitivity for major depressive episodes is 84.3%, specificity 58.6%, and kappa 0.37 (95% CI 0.22-0.52) indicating fair concordance. However, at the 3/4 cut-point recommended from European studies there is high sensitivity (94%) but poor specificity (34%). The principal components analysis suggested four factors. The first two factors conformed to affective suffering (depression, suicidality and tearfulness) and motivation (interest, concentration and enjoyment). Sleep and appetite constituted a separate factor, whereas pessimism loaded on its own factor. Conclusion: Among Thai psychiatric clinic attendees Euro-D is moderately valid for major depression. A much higher cut-point may be required than that which is usually advocated. The Thai version also shares two common factors as reported from most of previous studies.engBioMed CentralDepression, MentalSuicideMotivation PsychologySleepPsychotherapy patientsNeuropsychiatryAppetitePsychologyOpen Access articleArticle