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The PHQ-9 versus the PHQ-8 — Is item 9 useful for assessing suicide risk in coronary artery disease patients? Data from the Heart and Soul Study
Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 07/05/2012
Razykov I et al. - Item 9 does not appear to be an accurate suicide screen. The PHQ-8 may be a better option than the Patient Health Questionnaire—9 (PHQ-9) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.
Methods- Coronary artery disease (CAD) outpatients were administered the PHQ-9 and the Computerized Diagnostic Interview Schedule (C-DIS).
- Item 9 responses were compared to suicidal ideation and intent in the last year based on the C-DIS.
- Scores on the PHQ-8 were obtained by eliminating Item 9 from the PHQ-9.
- Test characteristics of the PHQ-9 and PHQ-8 were compared.
- Of 1022 patients, 110 (10.8%) endorsed Item 9.
- Of those, only 22 (19.8%) reported thoughts about committing suicide, and only 9 of those (8.1%) reported a suicide plan any time in the last year based on the C-DIS.
- Correlation between PHQ-9 and PHQ-8 scores was r=0.997.
- Sensitivity and specificity for the PHQ-9 (54%, 90%) and PHQ-8 (50%, 91%) to detect major depression were similar.
