Objective To adapt and to validate the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) in Colombia. Methods Observational study for scale validation. Validity criteria were used to determine the severity cut-off points of the tool. Taking into account sensitivity and specificity values, those cut points were contrasted with ICD-10 criteria for depression severity. A a factor analysis was performed. The internal consistencY was determined with the same sample of patients used for the validity criteria. Inter-rater reliability was assessed by evaluating the 22 records of the patients that consented to a video interview. Sensitivity to change was established through a second application of the scale in 28 subjects after a lapse of 14 to 28 days. Results The study was performed in Bogotá, the tool was applied in 150 patients suffering from major depressive disorder. The cut-off point for moderate depression was 20 (sensitivity, 98%; specificity, 96%), and the cut-off point for severe depression was 34 (sensitivity, 98%; specificity, 92%). The tool appears as a unidimensional scale, which possesses a good internal consistency with (α=.9168). The findings of inter-rater reliability evaluation showed the scale as highly reliable (intraclass correlation coefficient=.9833). The instrument has a good sensitivity to change. Conclusions The Colombian version of the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale has good psychometric properties and can be used in clinical practice and in clinical research in the field of depressive disorder.
