MADRS

MADRS stands for the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. It is a clinician-administered instrument used to assess the severity of depressive episodes in individuals with mood disorders, most commonly major depressive disorder. Developed in 1979 by Montgomery and Åsberg, the scale emphasizes sensitivity to treatment-related change.

The MADRS consists of ten items addressing core depressive symptoms. Each item is rated by a trained clinician from 0 to 6, where 0 indicates the absence of the symptom and 6 indicates severe intensity. The items are: apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, reduced sleep, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, lassitude, inability to feel, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts. The scores are summed to produce a total MADRS score ranging from 0 to 60; higher scores indicate greater severity.

Use and interpretation: MADRS is widely employed in clinical trials and routine practice to monitor symptom change and evaluate antidepressant efficacy. It is valued for its focus on core mood and related cognitive symptoms and its relative sensitivity to change, though reliability depends on consistent rater training and standardized administration.

Limitations and variants: The scale requires trained interviewers; inter-rater reliability improves with standardized training. Some items may be influenced by nondepressive factors, and translations or cultural adaptations exist. A self-rated version called MADRS-S is available, but MADRS remains primarily a clinician-rated instrument used in research and clinical monitoring.