Clinical properties of the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire: Development of a free calculator based on a Brazilian High-Risk Cohort Study
Listed in
This article is not in any list yet, why not save it to one of your lists.Abstract
Background
The Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ) is a validated tool for assessing depressive symptoms in youth, though no specific cut-point exists for the Brazilian population. Item response theory (IRT) and interval likelihood ratios (ILRs) offer refined methods to monitor symptoms but involve complex calculations that hinder clinical implementation.
Methods
Cross-sectional data were drawn from an urban school-based sample (Brazilian High-Risk Cohort Study in 2018-2019, n=1,905, aged 14-23, 46.6% females). Diagnoses were based on Development and Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA) clinical ratings. SMFQ factor scores were estimated using IRT and transformed into T-scores. ROC curves evaluated diagnostic properties for internalizing- and externalizing-spectrum disorders. A calculator was developed to estimate post-test probabilities from T-scores using ILRs. Sensitivity analysis excluded MDD as a comorbid diagnosis.
Results
ROC curve analyses suggested a sum score cut-off of >6 and a T-score of >55 for detecting MDD. The SMFQ showed good accuracy for internalizing conditions (AUC > 0.8) but low for attention and externalizing disorders (AUC < 0.7). ILRs for internalizing conditions ranged from 0.12 (95% CI: 0.07–0.19) to 29.98 (95% CI: 11.99–75), with post-test probabilities exceeding pre-test probabilities for scores above the cut-off. Sensitivity analysis confirmed findings when excluding MDD. Including ILRs significantly improved predictive models over dichotomous cut-offs.
Conclusion
The application of ILRs based on IRT T-scores improved SMFQ’s predictive ability for internalizing-spectrum conditions, regardless of comorbidity. A calculator can integrate these methods into clinical practice, supporting real-time data-driven decisions.
