PHQ-9 What is it? Brief Description Self-administered 9-item instrument based on the nine DSM-V criteria listed under criterion A for Major Depressive Disorder. The instrument aids in guiding criteria based diagnosis of depressive symptoms, can assist in identifying treatment goals, determining severity of symptoms, as well as
Guide for Interpreting PHQ-9 Scores-Of the first nine items, 1., 2., or 3. are checked as at least "more than half the days"-Either item 1. or 2. is positive; that is, at least "more than half the days" Score Action 0-4 Suggests the patient may not need depression treatment 5-14 Mild major depressive disorder. Provider uses clinical judgement The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) objectifies and assesses degree of depression severity via questionnaire. This is an unprecedented time. It is the dedication of healthcare workers that will lead us through this crisis. PATIENT HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE-9 (PHQ-9) Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems? (Use “ ” to indicate your answer) Not at all Scoring: Count the number (#) of boxes checked in a column. Multiply that number by the value indicated below, then add the subtotal to produce a total score. The possible range is 0-27. Refer to the accompanyingPHQ-9 Scoring Boxto interpret the TOTAL score. 5. Results may be included in patient files to assist you in setting up a treatment goal, determining degree of response, as well as guiding treatment intervention. Scoring: add up all checked boxes on PHQ-9 Interpreting the score Each question is given a numerical value between 0 and 3. Total scores range from 0 to 27. The total score can indicate the potential severity of depression. Total Score Depression Severity 1–4 Minimal depression 5–9 Mild depression 10–14 Moderate depression 15–19 Moderately severe depression 20–27 Severe depression PHQ-9 Score Treatment Response Treatment Plan Drop of ≥ 5 points from baseline Adequate No treatment change needed. Follow-up in four weeks. Drop of 2-4 points from baseline. Probably Inadequate Possibly no treatment change needed. Share PHQ-9 with psychological counselor. Drop of 1-point or no change or increase. Inadequate
As PHQ-9 depression severity increased, there was a substantial decrease in functional status on all 6 SF-20 subscales. Also, symptom-related difficulty, sick days, and health care utilization increased. Using the MHP reinterview as the criterion standard, a PHQ-9 score ≥10 had a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 88% for major depression.
The PHQ-9 is derivative work of the PHQ, which in turn is a shorter self-reported version of a clinician-reported Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD). PRIME-MD was an instrument developed and validated in the early 1990s to efficiently diagnose five of the most common types of mental disorders presenting in medical populations: Oct 15, 2018 · The PHQ-2 (Table 2 20) has similar sensitivity to the more comprehensive PHQ-9 (Table 3 20), but specificity of the PHQ-9 is higher at 91% to 94%, compared with 78% to 92% for the PHQ-2.21 The PHQ PHQ-9 total score for the nine items ranges from 0 to 27. In the above case, the PHQ- 9 depression severity score is 16 (3 items scored 1, 2 items scored 2, and 3 items scored 3). Scores of 5, 10, 15, and 20 represent cutpoints for mild, moderate, moderately severe and severe depression, respectively. Sensitivity to change has also been confirmed. The percentage of members 12 years of age and older with a diagnosis of depression and an elevated PHQ-9 score, who had evidence of response or remission within 4–8 months of the elevated score. Follow-Up PHQ-9. The percentage of members who have a follow-up PHQ-9 score documented within 4–8 months after the initial elevated PHQ-9 score.
The PHQ-A (PHQ-9 modified for Adolescents) takes less than five minutes to complete and score. If patient decides to complete the PHQ-A by himself/herself, he/she should be left alone to complete the PHQ-A in a private area, such as an exam room or a private area of the waiting room.
Interpreting the score Each question is given a numerical value between 0 and 3. Total scores range from 0 to 27. The total score can indicate the potential severity of depression. Total Score Depression Severity 1–4 Minimal depression 5–9 Mild depression 10–14 Moderate depression 15–19 Moderately severe depression 20–27 Severe depression PHQ-9 Score Treatment Response Treatment Plan Drop of ≥ 5 points from baseline Adequate No treatment change needed. Follow-up in four weeks. Drop of 2-4 points from baseline. Probably Inadequate Possibly no treatment change needed. Share PHQ-9 with psychological counselor. Drop of 1-point or no change or increase. Inadequate PHQ-9 QUICK DEPRESSION ASSESSMENT For initial diagnosis: 1. Patient completes PHQ-9 Quick Depression Assessment on accompanying tear-off pad. 2. If there are at least 4 s in the blue highlighted section (including Questions #1 and #2), consider a depressive disorder. Add score to determine severity. 3. Consider Major Depressive Disorder PHQ-9T and GAD-7 with Scoring Guidelines Last edited: 12/05/2019 TRAILStoWellness.org PHQ-9T and GAD-7 Scoring Guidelines When administering the PHQ-9T/GAD-7, please let students know that someone may follow up with them if there is a concern of safety. PHQ-9T Depression Severity When collecting the measure, please pay special attention to item #9. Personal Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) Score Interpretation and Possible Actions Total Score Depression Severity Actions Needed 1-4 Minimal depression Initial Assessment – This score suggests the patient, at this time, may not need depression treatment. You may consider a referral to EAP or Online Coaching and provide education about depression. Scoring the PHQ-9 modified for teens is easy but involves thinking about several different aspects of depression. To use the PHQ-9 as a diagnostic aid for Major Depressive Disorder: Questions 1 and/or 2 need to be endorsed as a “2” or “3” The PHQ-9 is the 9-question depression scale of PHQ. The PHQ is a self-administered version of the PRIME-MD, a screening tool that assesses 12 mental and emotional health disorders. The PHQ is 59-question instrument. It has modules on mood (PHQ-9), anxiety, alcohol, eating, and somatoform disorders.