Reference: Bech P, Rasmussen N, Olsen R, Noerholm V, Abildgaar W. The sensitivity and specificity of the MDI using the present State Examination as the index of diagnostic validity. Journal of Affective Disorders. 66:159–164 (2001).

The Major Depression Inventory is a brief self-rating scale for the assessment of depression. It is useful as a screening tool and has been validated as a diagnostic tool for major depression as defined by ICD-10 and DSM-IV criteria. The MDI items are measured as their frequency over the past two weeks. Although it contains 12 items (items 8 and 10 each have two sub-items) functionally it uses only 10 items since only the highest score of either sub-item are used in items 8 and 10. The following questions ask how you have been feeling over the last two weeks. Please put a tick in the box which is closest to have you have been feeling. How much of the time ... All of the time Most of the time Slightly more than half of the time Slightly less than half of the time Some of the time At no time Score 5 4 3 2 1 0 1. have you felt low in spirits or sad? 2. have you lost interest in your daily activities? 3. have you felt lacking in enery or strength? 4. have you felt less self-confident? 5. have you had a bad conscience of feelings of guilt? 6. have you felt that life was not worth living? 7. have you had difficulties concentrating eg when reading the newspaper or watching TV? 8a. have you felt very restless? 8b. have you felt subdued or slowed down? 9. have you had trouble sleeping at night? 10a. have you suffered from reduced appetite? 10b. have you suffered from increased appetite? Score interpretation: For items 8 and 10 only the higest scored sub-item (a or b) is used. Diagnosis of depression: A score of 4 or 5 points in at least 2 of the first 3 items + 2 of the first 7 items = Mild depression ICD-10 2 of the first 3 items + 4 of the first 7 items = Moderate depression ICD-10 all of the first 3 items + 5 of the first 7 items = Severe depression ICD-10 1 of the first 2 items + 5 of all 9 items = Major depression DSM-IV