Overview
A nine-item self-administered depression module of the PRIME-MD, scoring each of the nine DSM criteria for major depression from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day).
Use cases
Primary care depression screening, treatment-to-target monitoring, and pragmatic trials.
Assessment intelligence
- Score range
- 0 – 27
- Direction
- Higher = worse
- Scoring method
- Sum
- Time to score
- ~1 min
Subscales
- Total Depression Severity0-27
Sum of nine DSM-5 depression criteria items rated 0-3.
Cutoff thresholds & interpretation
| Severity | Threshold | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| None | 0-4 | Minimal or no depressive symptoms |
| Mild | 5-9 | Mild depressive symptoms; watchful waiting |
| Moderate | 10-14 | Moderate depression; treatment plan recommended |
| Moderately Severe | 15-19 | Active treatment with pharmacotherapy and/or psychotherapy |
| Severe | 20-27 | Immediate initiation of pharmacotherapy and expedited referral |
Item 9 screens for suicidal ideation and triggers safety protocol regardless of total score.
Editorial notes
Sensitivity 88%, specificity 88% for major depression at cutoff >=10; alpha 0.86-0.89.
Available languages
Validation studies (2)
- The PHQ-9: Validity of a brief depression severity measureKroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW. · Journal of General Internal Medicine · 2001DOI: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x
- PHQ-9 in monitoring depression treatment responseLowe B, Unutzer J, et al. · Medical Care · 2004DOI: 10.1097/01.mlr.0000147486.32841.a4