Guidelines

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

by Rhyley Bryan

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

The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) is a 3-page questionnaire that can be entirely self-administered by the patient. As a severity measure, the PHQ-9 score can range from 0 to 27, since each of the 9 items can be scored from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day).

What is a PHQ-9 scoring?

The PHQ-9 is the depression module, which scores each of the nine DSM-IV criteria as “0” (not at all) to “3” (nearly every day). It has been validated for use in primary care. It is not a screening tool for depression but it is used to monitor the severity of depression and response to treatment.

What is the PHQ used for?

At the initial visit for depression care the PHQ-9 is used to assist with diagnosis and identification of problem symptoms. At the follow-up visit, the PHQ-9 is used to measure treatment response and identify specific symptoms that are not responding.

How do you complete a PHQ-9?

The PHQ-9 can be filled out two ways; directly handing a copy to the patient to complete on their own or being administered verbally by staff as part of the rooming process. Studies have shown that patients can successfully fill out this form by themselves and do not always require assistance.

What are the PHQ-9 Questions?

Little interest or pleasure in doing things?

  • Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?
  • Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much?
  • Feeling tired or having little energy?
  • Poor appetite or overeating?
  • Feeling bad about yourself — or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down?

    • What does a PHQ-9 score of 10 mean?

    represent mild, moderate, and severe levels of depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms, on the. PHQ-9, GAD-7, and PHQ-15 respectively. Also, a cutpoint of 10 or greater is considered a ―yellow.

    What are the PHQ 9 Questions?

    Is there a PHQ for anxiety?

    When screening for anxiety disorders, a recommended cutpoint for further evaluation is a score of 10 or greater. underlying depressive or anxiety disorder). In particular, the PHQ-2 and GAD-2 subscores of the PHQ-4 provide separate depressive and anxiety scores, and can be used as screeners for depression and anxiety.

    Who can give the PHQ-9?

    The PHQ 2 and 9 are appropriate to be used with individuals 12 years of age and older. Alternative screening tools have been developed and validated for use among special populations including youth and older adults.

    Is PHQ-9 a screening tool?

    The PHQ-9 is a valid, quick screening instrument for depression that also can be used as a follow-up to a positive PHQ-2 result and to monitor treatment response.

    What is a normal GAD score?

    A score of 10 or greater on the GAD-7 represents a reasonable cut point for identifying cases of GAD. Cut points of 5, 10, and 15 might be interpreted as representing mild, moderate, and severe levels of anxiety on the GAD-7, similar to levels of depression on the PHQ-9.