Elsevier

Psychosomatics

Volume 50, Issue 6, November–December 2009, Pages 613-621
Psychosomatics

An Ultra-Brief Screening Scale for Anxiety and Depression: The PHQ–4

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0033-3182(09)70864-3Get rights and content

Background

The most common mental disorders in both outpatient settings and the general population are depression and anxiety, which frequently coexist. Both of these disorders are associated with considerable disability.

Objective

When the disorders co-occur, the disability is even greater. Authors sought to test an ultra-brief screening tool for both.

Method

Validated two-item ultra-brief screeners for depression and anxiety were combined to constitute the Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety (the PHQ–4). Data were analyzed from 2,149 patients drawn from 15 primary-care clinics in the United States.

Results

Factor analysis confirmed two discrete factors (Depression and Anxiety) that explained 84% of the total variance. Increasing PHQ–4 scores were strongly associated with functional impairment, disability days, and healthcare use. Anxiety had a substantial effect on functional status that was independent of depression.

Conclusion

The PHQ–4 is a valid ultra-brief tool for detecting both anxiety and depressive disorders.

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