[Validation of HARD (Hamilton depression rating scale) a diagram of the evaluation of depression by MADRS (Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale) Multicentric study of mianserin].

A national multicentric trial has included 402 depressed patients (DSM III Criteria) and has validated diagram HARD by MADRS. A constant and similar decrease in the total of the two rating scales has been shown at several times of assessment, Day 0, 10, 20, 60, and 90. High coefficents of correlation are found between HARD and MADRS. The sensitivity to change under treatment (mianserin 60 mg) is equal for the two rating scales.