A PHQ-9 score total of 0-4 points equals “normal” or minimal depression. Scoring between 5-9 points indicates mild depression, 10-14 points indicates moderate depression, 15-19 points indicates moderately severe depression, and 20 or more points indicates severe depression.

The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) is a self-administered version of the PRIME-MD diagnostic instrument for common mental disorders. The PHQ-9 is the depression module, which scores each of the 9 DSM-IV criteria as “0” (not at all) to “3” (nearly every day).

The PHQ-9 is a multipurpose instrument for screening, diagnosing, monitoring and measuring the severity of depression: n The PHQ-9 incorporates DSM-IV depression diagnostic criteria with other leading major depressive symptoms into a brief self-report tool.

PHQ-9 total score for the nine items ranges from 0 to 27. In the above case, the PHQ- 9 depression severity score is 16 (3 items scored 1, 2 items scored 2, and 3 items scored 3). Scores of 5, 10, 15, and 20 represent cutpoints for mild, moderate, moderately severe and severe depression, respectively.

Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

Little interest or pleasure in doing things? ... Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless? ... Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much? ... Feeling tired or having little energy? ... Poor appetite or overeating? ... Feeling bad about yourself — or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down?

The PHQ-9 should be administered at least quarterly after initial positive screen (defined as a score of 10 or greater). b. For enrollee/members scoring 5-9 on the PHQ-9, a repeat PHQ-9 should be completed as clinically indicated or at a minimum of at least annually.