Validity of LIDAS (LIfetime Depression Assessment Self-report): a self-report online assessment of lifetime major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of valid, brief instruments for the assessment of lifetime major depressive disorder (MDD) that can be used in, for example, large-scale genomics, imaging or biomarker studies on depression. We developed the LIfetime Depression Assessment Self-report (LIDAS), which assesses lifetime MDD diagnosis according to DSM criteria, and is largely based on the widely used Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Here, we tested the feasibility and determined the sensitivity and specificity for measuring lifetime MDD with this new questionnaire, with a regular CIDI as reference. METHOD: Sensitivity and specificity analyses of the online lifetime MDD questionnaire were performed in adults with (n = 177) and without (n = 87) lifetime MDD according to regular index CIDIs, selected from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA) and Netherlands Twin Register (NTR). Feasibility was tested in an additional non-selective, population-based sample of NTR participants (n = 245). RESULTS: Of the 753 invited persons, 509 (68%) completed the LIDAS, of which 419 (82%) did this online. User-friendliness of the instrument was rated high. Median completion time was 6.2 min. Sensitivity and specificity for lifetime MDD were 85% [95% confidence interval (CI) 80-91%] and 80% (95% CI 72-89%), respectively. This LIDAS instrument gave a lifetime MDD prevalence of 20.8% in the population-based sample. CONCLUSIONS: Measuring lifetime MDD with an online instrument was feasible. Sensitivity and specificity were adequate. The instrument gave a prevalence of lifetime MDD in line with reported population prevalences. LIDAS is a promising tool for rapid determination of lifetime MDD status in large samples, such as needed for genomics studies.

[A case of swollen head syndrome in a flock of guinea fowl]. / Een geval van het dikke koppensyndroom bij een koppel parelhoenders.

A case of swollen head syndrome in guinea-fowl is reported. In addition to the isolation of E. coli and staphylococci during the course of the disease, antibodies to rhinotracheitis were shown to be present in the blood. Treatment with Baytril produced satisfactory results.

[Iatrogenic mastitis in sheep]. / Iatrogene uierontsteking bij schapen.

Cases of ovine mastitis due to the use of dry-cow injectors are reported by the present authors. The inflammatory lesions were characterised by necrosis of mammary tissues, metaplasia of the epithelium of minor ducts and the appearance of macrophages and foreign-body giant cells. This is believed to have been caused by a mineral oil in an ointment base which was part of the material injected. However, injection of a different formulation using paraffin phenol also induced slight inflammatory lesions. Infection with maedi could not be ruled out in these cases. When drying off sheep is carried out as a routine procedure, it is recommended to refrain from using dry-cow injectors. Flocks in which there is a high incidence of mastitis require another, adapted approach.