Short summary

In order to use registries for observational studies it is impertinent that the clinical diagnoses recorded are valid. However, no studies have so far examined the validity of the depression diagnoses assigned for children and adolescents. 

The project aimes to investigate the reliability of the depression diagnosis for children and adolescents in the Danish Central Psychiatric Research Register. 

Rationale

In order to use registries for observational studies it is impertinent that the clinical diagnoses recorded are valid. Validation studies of the depression diagnosis have been carried out for adults, confirming that the depression diagnosis is valid. However, no studies have so far examined the validity of the depression diagnoses assigned for children and adolescents. 

The project wishes to investigate the reliability of the depression diagnosis for children and adolescents in the Danish Central Psychiatric Research Register. This is done by reviewing journal charts to see if it is documented that the diagnostic criteria are met.

The study can provide important information about the usefulness of the Danish Central Psychiatric Research Registry in child and youth depression research. In addition, this project will also provide information about whether it is documented in the journal that the diagnostic criteria for depression are met for those diagnosed.

Description of the cohort

500 randomly selected patients from all Danish Child- and Adolescent Psychiatric departments, who received a depression diagnosis from 1996-2016. The children were aged between 6 and 17 at the time of diagnosis. 

Data and biological material

Registryinformation on age, gender, diagnosis, place of diagnosis and time of diagnosis. 

Hospitalchartinformation on symptoms, duration and severity of symptoms, other mental illness, prescribed medication, sideeffekts and use of a questionnaire in the diagnostic process.  

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Odense

• Rikke Wesselhöft, PhD

University of Southern Denmark

• Undergraduate student Line Hofmann Frederiksen