PHQ 2 PDF
PHQ 2 PDF
PHQ 2 PDF
The PHQ-2 inquires about the frequency of depressed mood and anhedonia over the past
two weeks. The PHQ-2 includes the first two items of the PHQ-9.
n The purpose of the PHQ-2 is not to establish final a diagnosis or to monitor depression
severity, but rather to screen for depression in a first step approach.
n Patients who screen positive should be further evaluated with the PHQ-9 to determine
whether they meet criteria for a depressive disorder.
Clinical Utility
Reducing depression evaluation to two screening questions enhances routine inquiry
about the most prevalent and treatable mental disorder in primary care.
Scoring
A PHQ-2 score ranges from 0-6. The authors1 identified a PHQ-2 cutoff score of 3 as the
optimal cut point for screening purposes and stated that a cut point of 2 would enhance
sensitivity, whereas a cut point of 4 would improve specificity.
Psychometric Properties1
Major Depressive Disorder (7% prevalence) Any Depressive Disorder (18% prevalence)
PHQ-2 Sensitivity Specificity Positive PHQ-2 Sensitivity Specificity Positive
Score Predictive Score Predictive
Value (PPV*) Value (PPV*)
* Because the PPV varies with the prevalence of depression, the PPV will be higher in settings with a higher
prevalence of depression and lower in settings with a lower prevalence.
1. Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB. The Patient Health Questionnaire-2: Validity of a Two-Item Depression
Screener. Medical Care 2003, (41) 1284-1294.
STABLE RESOURCE TOOLKIT
Over the past 2 weeks, how often have Not Several More Nearly
you been bothered by any of the At all Days Than Half Every
following problems? the Days Day