Diagnostic criteria for endogenous depression. Restrictivity and scores

Fifteen diagnostic criteria for endogenous depressions have been studied in a sample of 96 inpatients. Aspects such as the level of restrictivity and the distribution of the scores have been studied. The highest level of restrictivity corresponded to the Yale Criteria, the Newcastle Scales and the Viena Research Criteria. Criteria with lowest levels of restrictivity were RDC and Taylor-Abrams Criteria. Distribution of scores revealed that only the Operational Diagnostic Scale, which is composed of the results of other criteria, departed from normality. These results suggest that a polydiagnostic approach to endogenous depression would be helpful in research