Could academic performance be a tool for screening depression: A cross-sectional study among 1st year medical students?

Abstract

The medical curriculum leads to increased burden and stress among medical students. The consistent failure may result in depression or vice-versa. Since early diagnosis of depression could help to improve work performance, this study evaluated the association of depression with academic performance among medical students. Total 100 first year medical students (54 males and 46 females) participated in the study. Parameters used were Hamilton depression rating scale 17 (cut-offvalue 7), average attendance (cut-offvalue 70%) and average marks (cut-offvalue 50%) obtained. Chi square test was applied to analyse the association between gender and academic performance with depression. The overall prevalence of depressed medical students was 31%. The association of depression with gender was not statistically significant. The average class attendance and average marks obtained was inversely associated with the HDRS score. Thus, academic performance could be used for screening of possible depressed students by regular teaching faculty followed by their referral to the experts for more in-depth evaluations and appropriate treatment because prior screening would help in early detection of depressive cases and their early treatment as well as such screening will also reduce the burden on experts. This could reduce the rate of lowered academic performance as an adverse effect of depression.