Cited by 1,473Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesMental Health Treatment and AccessPsychometric Methodologies and Testing

Detecting and monitoring depression with a two-item questionnaire (PHQ-2)

Löwe, Bernd, Kroenke, Kurt, Gräfe, Kerstin·2005·Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Abstract

Objective This study evaluates the two-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) as a measure for diagnosing and monitoring depression.Methods We assessed construct validity in a cross-sectional sample of 1619 medical outpatients (mean age 43+/-14 years, 64% female) by comparing the PHQ-2 to four longer self-report questionnaires. Criterion validity was established in a subsample of 520 participants with reference to the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). Sensitivity to change was investigated in a prospective study of 167 patients who completed the SCID both at baseline and the 1-year follow-up.Results With reference to the SCID, the PHQ-2 had a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 78% for major depressive disorder and a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 86% for any depressive disorder. Its diagnostic performance was comparable with that of longer depression scales. PHQ-2 change scores accurately reflected improved, unchanged, and deteriorated depression outcomes.Conclusion The PHQ-2 performed favorably with respect to a standard diagnostic interview, as well as established depression scales and proved sensitive to change. Thus, the PHQ-2 appears promising as a brief multipurpose measure for detecting depression, grading its severity, and monitoring outcomes over time.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2004.09.006

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Authors
Löwe, B., Kroenke, K., & Gräfe, K.
Affiliations
  • Regenstrief Institute (US)
  • Heidelberg University (DE)
Corresponding author
Löwe, Bernd
Venue
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2005-02
Volume
58
Issue
2
Pages
163-171
ISSN
0022-3999 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2065455682
Cited by
1,473
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 96 · 2025: 132 · 2024: 138 · 2023: 150 · 2022: 150 · 2021: 175 · 2020: 107 · 2019: 84 · 2018: 69 · 2017: 51 · 2016: 51 · 2015: 50 · 2014: 49 · 2013: 31 · 2012: 31
FWCI
14.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Psychosomatic Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Pfizer
  • Max Kade Foundation
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
Keywords
PHQ-2, Patient Health Questionnaire, depression screening, depression diagnosis, depression monitoring, construct validity, criterion validity, sensitivity to change, major depressive disorder, depressive disorders, medical outpatients
MeSH terms
Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depressive Disorder, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sensitivity and Specificity, Disease Progression

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