BACKGROUND The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) is the most commonly used measure to screen for depression in primary care but there is still lack of clarity about its accuracy and optimal scoring method. AIMS To determine via meta-analysis the diagnostic accuracy of the PHQ-9-linear, PHQ-9-algorithm and PHQ-2 questions to detect major depressive disorder (MDD) among adults. METHOD We sys...

OBJECTIVES To compare the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) as screening tools for postpartum depression. METHODS This study population included the first 500 women to enroll and return their packets during an ongoing study of postpartum depression. RESULTS The primary outcome of this study was to find rates of concordance and discordance i...

The electrochemical activity of poly(8-hydroxyquinoline) (PHQ) in acid and alkaline media has been investigated by use of differential pulse polarography (DPP). The reduction peak height (I(p)) of PHQ in universal buffer solutions is not useful as an analytical signal, because it is highly affected by hydrogen evolution in acid media and appears as a small peak located at more negative potentia...

BACKGROUND There is a need for brief instruments to ascertain the diagnosis of major depressive disorder. In this study, we present the reliability, construct validity and accuracy of the PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 to detect major depressive disorder in primary care. METHODS Cross-sectional analyses within a large prospective cohort study (PREDICT-NL). Data was collected in seven large general practices...

The disposition and metabolism of paraherquamide (PHQ), a potent and broad-spectrum anthelminthic, were examined in sheep, dogs, and gerbils. The metabolism of PHQ in these species was extensive and marked by significant species differences both in vitro and in vivo. In sheep and gerbils, PHQ metabolism occurs mainly at the pyrrolidine moiety, generating several metabolites that, for the most p...

BACKGROUND The diagnostic accuracy of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for assessment of depression in elderly persons in primary care settings in the United States has not been previously addressed. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the test performance of the PHQ-9 for detecting major and minor depression in elderly patients in primary care. METHODS A prospective stu...

BACKGROUND Depression, anxiety and somatization are the most common mental disorders in primary care as well as medical specialty populations; each is present in at least 5-10% of patients and frequently comorbid with one another. An efficient means for measuring and monitoring all three conditions would be desirable. METHODS Evidence regarding the psychometric and pragmatic characteristics o...

Objective. This study explores the relationship between depressive symptoms, as measured by the PHQ-9 depression screen and blood glucose levels among patients with diabetes enrolled in Gold Choice, a Medicaid managed care program for individuals with mental illness and/or substance abuse. Methods. The PHQ-9 was mailed to 454 Gold Choice members and a questionnaire was mailed to their physician...

BACKGROUND People with chronic health conditions are known to have a higher prevalence of depressive disorder. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a widely-used screening tool for depression which has not yet been validated for use on chronic care patients in South Africa. METHODS A sample of 676 chronic care patients attending two primary health facilities in North West Province, Sou...

BACKGROUND The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), despite its excellent reliability and validity in primary care, has not been examined for administration to psychiatric patients. This study assesses the accuracy of PHQ-9 in screening for major depressive episode and in diagnosing major depressive episode in patients of a psychiatric specialty clinic. METHODS We compared operational char...