Depression Screening & PHQ-9 Flashcards

Compared to the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), the PHQ-9 has which key advantage in primary care settings?

Answer: Patient self-administration reducing clinician burden

The PHQ-9 is patient-self-administered, making it practical for busy primary care settings unlike the clinician-administered HAM-D.

What recall period does the PHQ-9 reference for its symptom questions?

Answer: Past 2 weeks

PHQ-9 items ask how often the patient has been bothered by each problem 'over the last 2 weeks,' aligning with DSM criteria for major depressive episode.

A PHQ-9 score of 5 indicates which level of depression severity?

Answer: Mild depression

The PHQ-9 severity ranges are: 0–4 minimal, 5–9 mild, 10–14 moderate, 15–19 moderately severe, 20–27 severe.

Which sensitivity and specificity are closest to the established performance of the PHQ-9 at the ≥10 cutoff for major depression?

Answer: Sensitivity 88%, specificity 88%

At the ≥10 cutoff, the PHQ-9 demonstrates approximately 88% sensitivity and 88% specificity for major depressive disorder.

Which DSM-5 criteria domain is NOT directly assessed by an individual PHQ-9 item?

Answer: Social withdrawal

Social withdrawal is not directly queried as a standalone PHQ-9 item; the tool maps to 8 of the 9 DSM-5 symptom criteria plus a functional impairment item.

When monitoring treatment response, how frequently should the PHQ-9 typically be re-administered during active treatment?

Answer: Every 4–8 weeks

Guidelines recommend reassessing with the PHQ-9 every 4–8 weeks during active treatment to evaluate response and guide adjustments.

A patient scores 2 on the PHQ-9. What is the recommended clinical action?

Answer: No treatment needed; routine screening per schedule

A score of 0–4 indicates minimal or no depression; no specific treatment is warranted beyond continuing routine screening.