Egen minimum number of variables in list with given value

[Emmanuelle Belanger]

I need to create a binary depression variable that would indicate whether or not at least 5 out 8 symptom variables have a value above 2.
Is there a faster way to do this than generating 8 binary symptom variables, adding them, and finally creating the binary depression variable if the total is above 5?

Thank you,
Emma

[Nick Cox]

Tell us more about your data. If the 8 binary variables do not yet exist, tell us what does.

[Emmanuelle Belanger]

The 8 symptom variables have a range 0-3 (Likert scale for frequency experiencing the symptom, from never to everyday). People are considered depressed if they report a value of 2 and above on items 1 or 2, and at least 5 out of 8 symptoms with values 2 and above. I tend to write everything out and realize that I could probably be using shortcuts, but I cannot find any egen function that contain "if 5 out of 8 is true".

[Nick Cox]

gen wanted = 0 

quietly foreach v of var symptom* { 
    replace wanted = wanted + inlist(`v', 2, 3) if `v' < . 
} 

replace wanted = wanted >= 5

See also http://www.stata-journal.com/sjpdf.h...iclenum=pr0046

[Emmanuelle Belanger]

Thank you!