What is the PHQ-9 test?

The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) is a self-administered version of the PRIME-MD diagnostic instrument for common mental disorders. The PHQ-9 is the depression module, which scores each of the 9 DSM-IV criteria as “0” (not at all) to “3” (nearly every day).

What is modified PHQ-9?

A diagnostic tool for mental health disorders for use in screening adolescents.

What is a PHQ-9 and how is it scored?

PHQ-9 Score Interpretation A PHQ-9 score total of 0-4 points equals “normal” or minimal depression. Scoring between 5-9 points indicates mild depression, 10-14 points indicates moderate depression, 15-19 points indicates moderately severe depression, and 20 or more points indicates severe depression.

What is considered a positive PHQ-9 score?

The PHQ-9 total score ranges from 0 to 27 (scores of 5–9 are classified as mild depression; 10–14 as moderate depression; 15–19 as moderately severe depression; ≥ 20 as severe depression) [30].

When should the PHQ-9 Be Used?

The PHQ-9 is a simple, nine question form used to screen depression and monitor changes in signs/symptoms of depression. The patient’s PHQ-9 score should be recorded at the beginning of a visit, like blood pressure or other vitals.

How reliable is the PHQ-9?

The diagnostic validity of the 9-item PHQ-9 was established in studies involving 8 primary care and 7 obstetrical clinics. PHQ-9 scores > 10 had a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 88% for Major Depressive Disorder. Reliability and validity of the tool have indicated it has sound psychometric properties.

What is the difference between Phq A and PHQ-9?

The benefit of using the PHQ-A is its development for an adolescent population and inclusion of a question about suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Although it was not designed specifically for adolescents, the PHQ-9 is the current standard depression screening instrument for adults in LVPG primary care.

What is the purpose of PHQ-9?

The PHQ-9 can function as a screening tool, an aid in diagnosis, and as a symptom tracking tool that can help track a patient’s overall depression severity as well as track the improvement of specific symptoms with treatment.

What is a good assessment for anxiety?

There are several assessment tools available to assess or screen for anxiety disorders. These include the Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI) (2), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (3), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) (4), and the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) (5).