The factor structure of the PHQ-9 in palliative care

The factor structure of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in stroke: A comparison with a non-stroke population

BACKGROUND

It is unclear if certain post-stroke somatic symptoms load onto items of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a self-report depression questionnaire. We investigated these concerns in a stroke sample using factor analysis, benchmarked against a non-stroke comparison group.

METHODS

The secondary dataset constituted 787 stroke and 12,016 non-stroke participants. A subsample of 1574 comparison participants was selected via propensity score matching. Dimensionality was assessed by comparing fit statistics of one-factor, two-factor, and bi-factor models. Between-group differences in factor structure were explored using measurement invariance.

RESULTS

A two-factor model, consisting of somatic and cognitive-affective factors, showed better fit than the unidimensional model (CFI = 0.984 versus CFI = 0.974, p < .001), but the high correlation between the factors indicated unidimensionality (r = 0.866). Configural invariance between stroke and non-stroke was supported (CFI = 0.983, RMSEA = 0.080), as were invariant thresholds (p = .092) and loadings (p = .103). Strong invariance was violated (p < .001, ΔCFI = -0.003), stemming from differences in the tiredness and appetite intercepts. These differences resulted in a moderate overestimation of depression in stroke when using a summed score approach, relative to the comparison sample (Cohen's d = 0.434).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that the PHQ-9 measures a single factor in stroke. Because stroke patients may report higher tiredness on item 4, caution is advisable when classifying patients as depressed if they are near the cut-off and have significant post-stroke fatigue. Caution is also advised when comparing total scores between stroke and other populations.

Accuracy of nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire against psychiatric diagnosis for depression among people with HIV

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) against psychiatrist diagnosis in people with HIV (PWH).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis of data collected between January 2018 and July 2022 across five sites in Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, Senegal, and the Republic of Congo. Participants were ≥18 years and receiving HIV care at the participating site. PHQ-9 was administered by study staff followed by a psychiatrist's evaluation within 3 days.

RESULTS

Overall, 778 participants with complete data were included: 297 (38.2%) in Cameroon, 132 (17.0%) in Congo, 148 (19.0%) in Cote d'Ivoire, 98 (12.6%) in Kenya, and 103 (13.2%) in Senegal. The area under the curve for PHQ-9 score was generally high ranging from 0.935 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.893, 0.977] in Cote d'Ivoire to 0.768 (95% CI: 0.589, 0.947) in Congo. However, for the common cut-off score ≥10, sensitivity was low: 50% or lower in Cameroon, Congo and Senegal, 66.7% in Kenya and 70.6% in Cote d'Ivoire. But negative predictive values (NPV) were high: 98.9% (95% CI: 96.9%, 99.8%) in Cameroon, 96.1 (95% CI: 91.1, 98.7) in Cote d'Ivoire, 96.3% (95% CI: 89.7%, 99.2%) in Kenya, 95.7% (95% CI: 90.2%, 98.6%) in Congo, and 89.0% (95% CI: 81.2%, 94.4%) in Senegal.

INTERPRETATION

Across all countries, PHQ-9 score ≥10 performed very poorly (low sensitivity) as a tool to identify psychiatrist diagnosed depression. However, the observed high NPV suggests it can be used to rule out depression.

The Association Between Depressive Symptoms and the Weekly Duration of Physical Activity Subset by Intensity and Domain: Population-Based, Cross-Sectional Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey From 2007 to 2018

BACKGROUND

Prior literature suggests a dose-response relationship between physical activity (PA) and depressive symptoms. The intensity and domain of PA are suggested to be critical to its protective effect against depression; however, existing literature has shown mixed results.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this population-based study is to examine the associations between depressive symptoms and weekly duration of (1) total PA and (2) PA subset by intensity, domain, or both.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2007 to 2018 was conducted using multivariable logistic and linear regression models and survey weights. Participants (N=29,730) were 20 years and older and completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire and Depression Screener. The primary outcome was the presence of depressive symptoms, and the secondary outcomes were cognitive-affective and somatic symptoms of depression.

RESULTS

Participants (N=29,730) had a weighted mean age of 47.62 (SD 16.99) years, and 15,133 (51.34%) were female. On average, participants without depressive symptoms engaged in 10.87 hours of total PA per week, whereas participants with depressive symptoms engaged in 8.82 hours (P<.001). No significant associations were seen between the weekly duration of total PA and depressive symptom odds, somatic, or cognitive-affective symptoms (all P>.05). Participants with an increased weekly duration of recreational PA had decreases in depressive symptom odds (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.965, 95% CI 0.944-0.986) and in somatic (adjusted coefficient [aβ]=-0.016, 95% CI -0.022 to -0.009) and cognitive-affective (aβ=-0.015, 95% CI -0.023 to -0.007) symptoms. When recreational PA was subset by intensity, participants with an increased weekly duration of vigorous-intensity recreational PA had decreases in depressive symptom odds (aOR 0.926, 95% CI 0.883-0.972) and in somatic (aβ=-0.021, 95% CI -0.032 to -0.010) and cognitive-affective (aβ=-0.022, 95% CI -0.035 to -0.009) symptoms. However, significant associations were not seen for the weekly duration of work-related, moderate- or vigorous-intensity PAs (all P>.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that recreational, not work-related PA is associated with reduced symptoms of depression. Future studies should explore the impact of the different types and contexts of PA on depressive symptomatology.

Income rank and depressive symptoms among employees in Germany - A 5-year cross-lagged panel analysis

Background/Objective

Socioeconomic disparities in mental health are well-established. Previous research suggests that relative income rank is associated with depressive symptoms above and beyond absolute income. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of income rank for future depressive symptoms while accounting for absolute income. Exploring potential reverse pathways from depressive symptoms to income rank was a secondary objective.

Method

A two-wave cross-lagged panel design with a 5-year follow-up was used to analyze data for income rank, absolute income, and two dimensions of depressive symptoms (i.e., cognitive-affective and somatic symptoms) from initially 4,201 employees. Income rank was calculated for reference groups, based on the same gender, the same 5-year age band, and the same occupational skill level.

Results

Lower income rank at baseline predicted a higher severity of cognitive-affective depressive symptoms at five-year follow-up, even after adjusting for absolute income. In contrast, income rank did not demonstrate a significant unique longitudinal association with somatic depressive symptoms when simultaneously taking absolute income into account. There was no evidence for the assumption that depressive symptoms are predictive for future income rank (i.e., reverse pathway).

Conclusions

Cognitive-affective symptoms of depression might be particularly responsive to social comparisons and a relatively low social rank.

Validity and internal consistency of four scales in patients with TMD: PHQ8, GAD7, PHQ15 and JFLS20

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the structural validity and internal consistency reliability of General Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-8, 15 and Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-20 in patients with chronic pain of temporomandibular disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Validity and reliability were assessed in 129 patients diagnosed according to the diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders. Structural validity was explored using factor analysis, and internal consistency by calculating Cronbach α.

RESULTS

Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a suitable 2-factor model for Patient Health Questionnaire-8, with Cronbach α of 0.89, and 0.86. One and 2-factor models were suitable for General Anxiety Disorder-7, with overall Cronbach α of 0.93 for the 1-factor model, and 0.91 and 0.84 for both factors in a 2-factor model. A 4-factor solution was appropriate for Patient Health Questionnaire-15, with Cronbach α of 0.72, 0.57, 0.71 and 0.73 for each factor separately. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to explore the factor structure of Jaw Functional Limitation Scale 20, and a 3-factor solution was appropriate.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides positive evidence of structural validity and internal consistency of these questionnaires in patients with pain of temporomandibular disorders. However, additional testing is required to explore further psychometric properties.

Psychometric Properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in Patients With Breast Cancer

OBJECTIVE

Due to the high frequency of depressive symptoms associated with breast cancer, it is crucial to screen for depression in breast cancer patients. While numerous screening tools are available for depression in this population, there is a need for a brief and convenient tool to enhance clinical use. This study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) in patients with breast cancer.

METHODS

Patients with breast cancer (n=327) who visited the Breast Cancer Clinic were included in this study. The reliability of the PHQ-9 was analyzed by Cronbach's α, and the construct validity of the PHQ-9 was explored by factor analysis. The concurrent validity of the PHQ-9 was evaluated by Pearson correlation analysis with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).

RESULTS

The values of Cronbach's α ranged from 0.800 to 0.879 was acceptable. The exploratory factor analysis revealed that the one-factor model and two-factor model of the PHQ-9 explained 46% and 57% of the variance, respectively. The PHQ-9 were significantly correlated with those of HADS (r=0.702, p<0.001) and PSS (r=0.466, p<0.001). Consequently, the PHQ-9 demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity in breast cancer patients.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study indicate that the PHQ-9 exhibits acceptable reliability and validity in patients with breast cancer. The convenience of this brief self-report questionnaire suggests its potential as a reliable and valid tool for assessing depression in breast cancer clinics.

Analysis of the dimensional structure of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) in undergraduate students at a public university in Brazil

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of mental health-related problems has increased in recent years, especially among young adults, such as university students. Several measurement instruments have been developed to identify individuals at risk for depression, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). However, different dimensional structures of the PHQ-9 can make it difficult to interpret and compare research results. To analyze the dimensional structure and convergent validity of the PHQ-9 in university students.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study developed with 3163 students enrolled in different courses at a university in southern Brazil. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed to identify the most parsimonious and best-fitting model. Convergent validity was verified through the significant relationship (p < 0.05) between theoretically related constructs (sleep quality, alcohol consumption, and physical activity practice).

RESULTS

The EFA resulted in two models (unidimensional and two-dimensional), with better indices for the two-dimensional model. In the CFA, both the unidimensional and the two-dimensional models presented satisfactory fit indices that were higher for the unidimensional model.

LIMITATIONS

The analysis of convergent validity is limited by the absence of a gold standard for comparison.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided support for the unidimensional structure of the PHQ-9, with adequate convergent validity, among university students.

Identifying a stable and generalizable factor structure of major depressive disorder across three large longitudinal cohorts

The Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) is the current standard outpatient screening tool for measuring and tracking the nine symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD). While the PHQ-9 was originally conceptualized as a unidimensional measure, it has become clear that MDD is not a monolithic construct, as evidenced by high comorbidities with other theoretically distinct diagnoses and common symptom overlap between depression and other diagnoses. Therefore, identifying reliable and temporally stable subfactors of depressive symptoms could allow research and care to be tailored to different depression phenotypes. This study improved on previous factor analysis studies of the PHQ-9 by leveraging samples that were clinical (participants with depression only), large (N = 1483 depressed individuals in total), longitudinal (up to 5 years), and from three diverse (matching racial distribution of the United States) datasets. By refraining from assuming the number of factors or item loadings a priori, and thus utilizing a solely data-driven approach, we identified a ranked list of best-fitting models, with the parsimonious one achieving good model fit across studies at most timepoints (average TLI >= 0.90). This model categorizes the PHQ-9 items into four factors: (1) Affective (Anhedonia + Depressed Mood), (2) Somatic (Sleep + Fatigue + Appetite), (3) Internalizing (Worth/Guilt + Suicidality), (4) Sensorimotor (Concentration + Psychomotor), which may be used to further precision psychiatry by testing factor-specific interventions in research and clinical settings.

Identifying Unique Symptom Groups Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Using the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory and PTSD Checklist-5 in Military Personnel: A Bifactor Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To identify both shared and unique groups of posttraumatic stress and postconcussive symptoms using bifactor analysis.

SETTING

Two large military outpatient traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation clinics in the Southwestern United States.

PARTICIPANTS

A sample of 1476 Active Duty Service Members seeking treatment for a mild TBI sustained more than 30 days previously, without history of moderate or severe TBI, who completed measures of postconcussive and posttraumatic stress symptoms assessed at clinic intake.

DESIGN

Observational, correlational study with data taken from an institutional review board-approved clinical registry study.

MAIN MEASURES

Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) ( DSM-V ) (PCL-5). Concurrent measures were Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Headache Impact Test (HIT-6).

RESULTS

Results identified a bifactor model demonstrating unique posttraumatic stress, depressive, cognitive, and neurological/somatic symptom groups that were still evident after accounting for a universal factor representing general distress. These symptom groups were differentially related to concurrently measured clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Use of a bifactor structure may help derive clinically useful signals from self-reported symptoms among Active Duty Service Members seeking outpatient treatment for mild TBI.

Assessing the differential item functioning of PHQ-9 items for diverse racial and ethnic adults with mental health and/or substance use disorder diagnoses: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Improving health equity in depression care and suicide screening requires that measures like the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) function similarly for diverse racial and ethnic groups. We evaluated PHQ-9 differential item functioning (DIF) between racial/ethnic groups in a retrospective cohort study of secondary electronic health record (EHR) data from eight healthcare systems.

METHODS

The population (n = 755,156) included patients aged 18-64 with mental health and/or substance use disorder (SUD) diagnoses who had a PHQ-9 with no missing item data in the EHR for primary care or mental health visits between 1/1/2009-9/30/2017. We drew two random samples of 1000 from the following racial/ethnic groups originally recorded in EHRs (n = 14,000): Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White, Black, Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, multiracial. We assessed DIF using iterative hybrid ordinal logistic regression and item response theory with p < 0.01 and 1000 Monte Carlo simulations, where change in model R2 > 0.01 represented non-negligible (e.g., clinically meaningful) DIF.

RESULTS

All PHQ-9 items displayed statistically significant, but negligible (e.g., clinically unmeaningful) DIF between compared groups. The negligible DIF varied between random samples, although six items showed negligible DIF between the same comparison groups in both random samples.

LIMITATIONS

Our findings may not generalize to disaggregated racial/ethnic groups or persons without mental health and/or SUD diagnoses.

CONCLUSIONS

We found the PHQ-9 had clinically unmeaningful cross-cultural DIF for adult patients with mental health and/or SUD diagnoses. Future research could disaggregate race/ethnicity to discern if within-group identification impacts PHQ-9 DIF.

A cross-sectional study: family communication, anxiety, and depression in adolescents: the mediating role of family violence and problematic internet use

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between family communication, family violence, problematic internet use, anxiety, and depression and validate their potential mediating role.

METHODS

The study population consisted of Chinese adolescents aged 12 to 18 years, and a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2022. Structural equation models were constructed using AMOS 25.0 software to examine the factors that influence adolescent anxiety and depression and the mediating effects of problematic internet use and family violence.

RESULTS

The results indicate that family communication was significantly and negatively related to family violence (β = -.494, p < 0.001), problematic internet use (β = -.056, p < .05), depression (β = -.076, p < .01), and anxiety (β = -.071, p < .05). And the finds also indicate that family violence mediated the relationships between family communication and depression (β = -.143, CI: -.198 -.080), and between family communication and anxiety (β = -.141; CI: -.198 -.074). Chain indirect effects between family communication and depression (β = -.051; CI: -.081 -.030) or anxiety (β = -.046; CI: -.080 -.043) via family violence and then through problematic internet use were also found in the present study.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, positive family communication is crucial in reducing anxiety and depression in adolescents. Moreover, problematic internet use and family violence mediate the effects of positive family communication on anxiety and depression. Therefore, improving family communication and promoting interventions aimed at reducing family violence and problematic internet use can help reduce anxiety and depression in adolescents, thus promoting their healthy development.

Differential Associations Between Depressive Symptom-Domains With Anxiety, Loneliness, and Cognition in a Sample of Community Older Chinese Adults: A Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes Approach

Background and Objectives

Depressive symptoms are common in older adults, and often co-occur with other mental health problems. However, knowledge about depressive symptom-domains and their associations with other conditions is limited. This study examined depressive symptom-domains and associations with anxiety, cognition, and loneliness.

Research Design and Methods

A sample of 3,795 participants aged 60 years and older were recruited from the community in Hong Kong. They were assessed for depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item), loneliness (UCLA 3-item), and cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment 5-Minute Protocol). Summary descriptive statistics were calculated, followed by confirmatory factor analysis of PHQ-9. Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes analysis was used to examine the associations between mental health conditions in the general sample and subgroups based on depressive symptom severity.

Results

A 4-factor model based on the Research Domain Criteria showed the best model fit of PHQ-9 (χ2/df = 10.63, Root-Mean-Square Error of Approximation = 0.05, Comparative Fit Index = 0.96, Tucker-Lewis Index = 0.93). After adjusting for demographics, 4 depressive symptom-domains were differentially associated with anxiety, loneliness, and cognition across different depression severity groups. The Negative Valance Systems and Internalizing domain (NVS-I; guilt and self-harm) were consistently associated with anxiety (β = 0.45, 0.44) and loneliness (β = 0.11, 0.27) regardless of depression severity (at risk/mild vs moderate and more severe, respectively, all p < .001).

Discussion and Implications

The consistent associations between the NVS-I domain of depression with anxiety and loneliness warrant attention. Simultaneous considerations of depressive symptom-domains and symptom severity are needed for designing more personalized care.

Clinical Trials Registration Number

NCT03593889.

Psychiatric Comorbidities and Outcomes in Palliative and End-of-Life Care: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Although psychiatric comorbidities are common among individuals at end of life, their impact on outcomes is poorly understood.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic literature review of six databases following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines and aimed at assessing the relationship between psychiatric comorbidities and outcomes in palliative and end-of-life care. Six databases were included in our search. This review is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022335922).

RESULTS

Our search generated 7472 unique records. Eighty-eight full texts were reviewed for eligibility and 43 studies were included in the review. Clinically, psychiatric comorbidity was associated with poor quality of life, increased physical symptom burden, and low function. The impact of psychiatric comorbidity on health utilization varied, though many studies suggested that psychiatric comorbidity increased utilization of palliative care services. Quality of evidence was limited by lack of consistent approach to confounding variables as well as heterogeneity of the included studies.

CONCLUSION

Psychiatric comorbidity is associated with significant differences in care utilization and clinical outcome among patients at end of life. In particular, patients with psychiatric comorbidity and serious illness are at high risk of poor quality of life and high symptom burden. Our finding that psychiatric comorbidity is associated with increased utilization of palliative care likely reflects the complexity and clinical needs of patients with serious illness and mental health needs. These data suggest that greater integration of mental health and palliative care services may enhance quality-of-life among patients at end of life.

Anxiety, depression, perceived executive function and sugar sweetened beverages: a causal mediation analysis in Mexican young adults

There is the notion that dysregulation of executive function (EF), which disrupts behavior and cognitive processes, may explain the emotional impairment which leads to increasing sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) intake. We aimed to test whether anxiety and depression mediate the association between self-reported problems in EF and sugar sweetened beverage intake in Mexican adults between 18-40 years. An open survey advertised as a 'mental health and sugar sweetened beverages study' was conducted, participants were recruited through Facebook ads. Males and females, between 18-40 years, able to read and write, and currently residing in Mexico were included. We analyzed data using causal mediation analysis with latent variables using a structural equation modelling framework. Significant indirect effects were found for somatic symptoms of depression (β = 6.601, SE = 2.657, p < .05) and anxiety (β = .679, SE =.334, p < .05). In depression model no significant direct effects of EF were found in the depression model, however they were found in the anxiety model (β = 1.335 SE =.566, p < .05). Somatic symptoms of depression were a total mediator, and anxiety a partial mediator. The results suggest that EF increased the probability of emotional symptoms, which led to a higher consumption of SBBs.

Psychometric properties of the PHQ-9 measure of depression among Brazilian older adults

Objectives: To obtain evidence on the psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 (PHQ-9, one of the most extensively used tools for assessing depression) in the Brazilian older population.Method: Data on 3,356 Brazilian adults aged 60+ years living in Guarulhos, São Paulo state were used. The factor structure of the questionnaire was analysed using a factor analysis approach. The questionnaire's measurement equivalence was tested across gender, age, personal income, and education level groups. The scores were compared across groups based on the highest level of equivalence achieved. The questionnaire's internal consistency was analysed considering its factor structure.Results: A one-factor solution was identified as the most adequate factor structure, with the factor explaining 57.6% of the items' variance. The correlation of the resulting latent score with the overall raw sum score in the PHQ-9 was r = 0.96. Measurement equivalence regarding thresholds and loadings was achieved for all tested groups. On average, women, older, less educated, and poorer people had higher latent scores on the depression factor. The measure showed a good internal consistency with Revelle's omega total ω_t=0.92.Conclusion: The results suggest that, among Brazilian older adults living in Guarulhos, São Paulo state, the PHQ-9 measures depressive symptomatology equivalently across different sociodemographic subgroups. Moreover, it can be scored using the raw sum of the item scores to adequately reflect different levels of depressive symptomatology.

Validity and reliability of the Patient Health Questionnaire scale (PHQ-9) among university students of Bangladesh

This study investigated the reliability and factorial validity of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) in the context of university students in Bangladesh. The research aimed to assess whether the original one-dimensional model or a model containing both somatic and cognitive-emotional factors is appropriate in the case of a sample of university students. A repeated cross-sectional survey design based on convenience sampling was used to collect data from 677 university students from both public and private universities. The factor structure of the PHQ-9 was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Measurement invariances were assessed across gender, type of university, level of education and victim of domestic violence. Its convergent validity was determined by investigating its correlations with Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety-Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS). Results showed excellent reliability of PHQ-9 as measured by both Cronbach's α and McDonald's ω. CFA suggested that a modified one-factor model where the error variances between item-3 ('sleeping difficulties') and item-6 ('feeling as a failure'), item-6 and item-9 ('suicidal thoughts'), item-4 ('feeling tired') and item-9, item-3 and item-9 were allowed to covary is appropriate for the sample. This model provided high values of comparative fit index (CFI), goodness of fit index (GFI), and Tucker Lewis Index (TLI), low value of standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) and a non-significant root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) as well as a high Factor Determinacy Score Coefficient. Correlation between PHQ-9 and GAD-7 was 0.751 and 0.934 between PHQ-9 and PHQ-ADS. Finally, the model is strictly invariant across gender and university type. Overall, the study provided support for modified unidimensional structure for PHQ-9 and showed high internal consistency along with good convergent validity.

Spanish version of Jenkins Sleep Scale in physicians and nurses: psychometric properties from a Peruvian nationally representative sample

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of Jenkins Sleep Scale with 4 items (JSS-4) of the Peruvian health system's (PHS) nurses and physicians.

METHODS

We carried out a psychometric study based on secondary analysis in a sample from a nationally representative survey that used acomplex sampling design. The participants were physicians and nurses aged 18-65 years, working in PHS private and public facilities, who have fulfilled all JSS-4 items. We performed a confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability was evaluated via two estimates - classic alpha (α) and categorical omega (ω) coefficients. Also, we tested the invariance across groups of variables. The convergent validity was evaluated based on the relation between JSS-4 and PHQ-2 using Pearson's correlation coefficient and effect size (Cohen's d). Also, we designed normative values based on percentiles.

RESULTS

We included 2100 physicians and 2826 nurses in the analysis. We observed that the unidimensional model has adequate goodness-of-fit indices and values of α and ω coefficients. No measurement invariance was found between the groups of professionals and age groups; however, invariance was achieved between sex, monthly income, work-related illness, and chronic illness groups. Regarding the relation with other variables, the JSS-4 has a small correlation with PHQ-2. Also, profession and age-specific normative values were proposed.

CONCLUSION

JSS-4 Spanish version has adequate psychometric properties in PHS nurses and physicians.

A Machine Learning Approach for Detecting Digital Behavioral Patterns of Depression Using Nonintrusive Smartphone Data (Complementary Path to Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Assessment): Prospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Depression is a major global cause of morbidity, an economic burden, and the greatest health challenge leading to chronic disability. Mobile monitoring of mental conditions has long been a sought-after metric to overcome the problems associated with the screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of depression and its heterogeneous presentation. The widespread availability of smartphones has made it possible to use their data to generate digital behavioral models that can be used for both clinical and remote screening and monitoring purposes. This study is novel as it adds to the field by conducting a trial using private and nonintrusive sensors that can help detect and monitor depression in a continuous, passive manner.

OBJECTIVE

This study demonstrates a novel mental behavioral profiling metric (the Mental Health Similarity Score), derived from analyzing passively monitored, private, and nonintrusive smartphone use data, to identify and track depressive behavior and its progression.

METHODS

Smartphone data sets and self-reported Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) depression assessments were collected from 558 smartphone users on the Android operating system in an observational study over an average of 10.7 (SD 23.7) days. We quantified 37 digital behavioral markers from the passive smartphone data set and explored the relationship between the digital behavioral markers and depression using correlation coefficients and random forest models. We leveraged 4 supervised machine learning classification algorithms to predict depression and its severity using PHQ-9 scores as the ground truth. We also quantified an additional 3 digital markers from gyroscope sensors and explored their feasibility in improving the model's accuracy in detecting depression.

RESULTS

The PHQ-9 2-class model (none vs severe) achieved the following metrics: precision of 85% to 89%, recall of 85% to 89%, F1 of 87%, and accuracy of 87%. The PHQ-9 3-class model (none vs mild vs severe) achieved the following metrics: precision of 74% to 86%, recall of 76% to 83%, F1 of 75% to 84%, and accuracy of 78%. A significant positive Pearson correlation was found between PHQ-9 questions 2, 6, and 9 within the severely depressed users and the mental behavioral profiling metric (r=0.73). The PHQ-9 question-specific model achieved the following metrics: precision of 76% to 80%, recall of 75% to 81%, F1 of 78% to 89%, and accuracy of 78%. When a gyroscope sensor was added as a feature, the Pearson correlation among questions 2, 6, and 9 decreased from 0.73 to 0.46. The PHQ-9 2-class model+gyro features achieved the following metrics: precision of 74% to 78%, recall of 67% to 83%, F1 of 72% to 78%, and accuracy of 76%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that the Mental Health Similarity Score can be used to identify and track depressive behavior and its progression with high accuracy.

Psychometric Properties and Factor Structure of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 as a Screening Tool for Depression Among Ecuadorian College Students

Background

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is the most well-known self-report measure to screen for depressive symptomatology, although discerning which is the factor structure that represents the best fit remains a challenge.

Objective

The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties and factorial structure of the Spanish version of the PHQ-9 in a large sample of Ecuadorian college students.

Methods

A total of 5,394 students (M = 22.03 years; SD = 3.05; 54.8% female) from three Ecuadorian universities were surveyed using a computerized questionnaire within a 4-week assessment period. The PHQ-9 was tested for factorial structure, reliability, and correlations with other mental health-related measures.

Results

The hierarchical model that included a general factor and three nested factors had a better fit, and such a hierarchical structure remained invariant across sex and age. Total omega value (ω) was 0.90 for the total scale and hierarchical omega values (ωh) were 0.68 for the general factor, as well as 0.34, 0.38, and 0.44 for the respective nested factors (somatic, cognitive/affective, concentration/motor). Moreover, PHQ-9 scores were significantly higher among women, although effect sizes of comparison of those sex differences were very small. Finally, the PHQ-9 scores correlated with multiple mental health indicators (psychological inflexibility, loneliness, stress, and satisfaction with life).

Discussion

The Spanish version of the PHQ-9 showed good psychometric properties among Ecuadorian college students. The hierarchical structure showed the best fit for the data, including not only a dominant general factor, but also the somatic, cognitive/affective and concentration/motor subcomponents. In conclusion, the PHQ-9 tool seems to represent an easy-to-implement screening questionnaire to design preventive programs for those Ecuadorian college students at risk of developing depressive disorders.

Is trained communication about desire to die harmful for patients receiving palliative care? A cohort study

BACKGROUND

Palliative patients frequently express a desire to die. Health professionals report uncertainty regarding potential risks of addressing it.

AIM

We aim to evaluate effects of desire to die-conversations on palliative patients.

DESIGN

Within a prospective mixed-methods cohort study, we trained health professionals in dealing with desire to die. Afterwards, they held conversations about it with patients. Effects on depressiveness, hopelessness, wish to hasten death, death anxiety, patient-health professional-relationship, and will to live were evaluated at baseline (t0), 1 (t1), and 6 weeks afterwards (t2). Results were analyzed descriptively.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

From April 2018 to March 2020, 43 health professionals asked 173 patients from all stationary and ambulatory palliative care settings (within 80 km radius) for participation. Complete assessments were obtained from n = 85 (t0), n = 64 (t1), and n = 46 (t2).

RESULTS

At t1, patients scored significantly lower on depressiveness (med = 8, M = 8.1, SD = 5.4) than at t0 (med = 9.5, M = 10.5, SD = 5.8) with Z = -3.220, p = 0.001 and Cohen's d = 0.42. This was due to medium-severely depressed patients: At t1, their depressiveness scores decreased significantly (med = 9, M = 9.8; SD = 5.1) compared to t0 (med = 14, M = 15.2; SD = 3.9) with Z = -3.730, p ⩽ 0.000 and Cohen's d = 1.2, but others' did not. All other outcomes showed positive descriptive trends.

CONCLUSIONS

Desire to die-conversations through trained health professionals do not harm palliative patients. Results cautiously suggest temporary improvement.

The validity and reliability of the PHQ-9 on screening of depression in neurology: a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to explore the validity and reliability of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) on screening of depression among patients with neurological disorders, and to explore factors influencing such patients.

METHODS

In this study, 277 subjects who were admitted to the department of neurology of our hospital due to different neurological disorders completed the PHQ-9 questionnaire. The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) were employed to evaluate the depressive symptoms of patients who completed the PHQ-9 questionnaire. The internal consistency, criterion validity, structural validity, and optimal cut-off values of PHQ-9 were evaluated, and the consistency assessment was conducted between the depression severity as assessed by PHQ-9, HAMD and MINI. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the risk factors of depression.

RESULTS

The Cronbach's α coefficient of the PHQ-9 was 0.839. The Pearson's correlation coefficient among the 9 items of the PHQ-9 scale was 0.160 ~ 0.578 (P < 0.01), and the Pearson's correlation coefficient between each item and the total score was at the range of 0.608 ~ 0.773. Taking the results of MINI as the gold standard, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the PHQ-9 results for all the subjects (n = 277) was 0.898 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.859 ~ 0.937, P < 0.01). When the cut-off score was equal to 5, the values of sensitivity, specificity, and the Youden's index were 91.2, 76.6%, and 0.678, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the influence of unemployment on the occurrence of depression was statistically significant (P = 0.027, OR = 3.080, 95%CI: 1.133 ~ 8.374).

CONCLUSIONS

The application of PHQ-9 for screening of depression among Chinese patients with neurological disorders showed a good reliability and validity.

Refining our understanding of depressive states and state transitions in response to cognitive behavioural therapy using latent Markov modelling

BACKGROUND

It is increasingly recognized that existing diagnostic approaches do not capture the underlying heterogeneity and complexity of psychiatric disorders such as depression. This study uses a data-driven approach to define fluid depressive states and explore how patients transition between these states in response to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

METHODS

Item-level Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) data were collected from 9891 patients with a diagnosis of depression, at each CBT treatment session. Latent Markov modelling was used on these data to define depressive states and explore transition probabilities between states. Clinical outcomes and patient demographics were compared between patients starting at different depressive states.

RESULTS

A model with seven depressive states emerged as the best compromise between optimal fit and interpretability. States loading preferentially on cognitive/affective v. somatic symptoms of depression were identified. Analysis of transition probabilities revealed that patients in cognitive/affective states do not typically transition towards somatic states and vice-versa. Post-hoc analyses also showed that patients who start in a somatic depressive state are less likely to engage with or improve with therapy. These patients are also more likely to be female, suffer from a comorbid long-term physical condition and be taking psychotropic medication.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents a novel approach for depression sub-typing, defining fluid depressive states and exploring transitions between states in response to CBT. Understanding how different symptom profiles respond to therapy will inform the development and delivery of stratified treatment protocols, improving clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of psychological therapies for patients with depression.

Factor Structures of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Instruments in Exploring Depressive Symptoms of Suburban Population

BACKGROUND

This study aims to examine the psychometric properties of the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and assess the relationship between the PHQ-9 domain and demographics and health behaviors in Vietnamese people.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PHQ9 was administered to 899 participants. Exploratory factor and reliability analyses were performed. Tobit regression and Ordered logistic regression were further performed to determine factors associated with the PHQ-9 score and characteristics of depression.

RESULTS

The 2-factor model of PHQ-9, including factor 1 "Somatic" and factor 2 "Cognitive/Affective," showed good psychometric properties. The Cronbach's alpha value showed high internal consistency in two factors (0.84 and 0.80, respectively). Gender, health behavior exercising, drinking, and health status had associations with both factors of the PHQ-9 model.

CONCLUSION

The PHQ-9 scale is a valid and reliable instrument to assess depression in the Vietnam population. This scale can be a useful screening tool for depression; however, further validation studies in other populations are required.

Factorial Validity and Invariance of an Adolescent Depression Symptom Screening Tool

CONTEXT

Depression is among the most common mental health disorder in youth, results in significant impairment, and is associated with a higher risk of suicide. Screening is essential but assessment tools may not be appropriate across races or do not account for the complex interrelatedness of various demographics including gender, socio-economic status and race.

OBJECTIVES

(1) To determine the factor structure of the Patient Health Questionnaire-Adolescent (PHQ-A) for measuring depression in a group of adolescent athletes; and (2) to determine measurement invariance between Blacks and Whites on the PHQ-A.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort design.

SETTING

Data obtained from a secure database collected at a free, comprehensive, mass pre-participation physical exam (PPE) event hosted by a large health care system.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants included 683 high school athletes (Black n=416; White n=267). Independent variables included somatic and affective factors contributing to the construct of depression measured by the PHQ-A and participant race (Black and White).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

(1) Factors upon which the construct of depression is measured and (2) measurement invariance between Blacks and Whites.

RESULTS

A two-factor model, including affective and somatic components, was specified and exhibited an adequate fit to the data (CFI> .90). All items exhibited moderate to high squared multiple correlation values (R2 = .10-.65), suggesting that these items resonated relatively well with participants. The two-factor model demonstrated noninvariance Black and White participants (RMSEA = .06-.08).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the structure of the PHQ-A is supported by a two-factor model in adolescent athletes, measuring both affective and somatic symptoms of depression. A two factor PHQ-A structure is not fully invariant for the adolescents sampled across participant groups, implying that the model functions differently between Blacks and Whites sampled.

Validity and Reliability of the Self-administered Psycho-TherApy-SystemS (SELFPASS) Item Pool for the Daily Mood Tracking of Depressive Symptoms: Cross-sectional Web-Based Survey

BACKGROUND

e-Mental health apps targeting depression have gained increased attention in mental health care. Daily self-assessment is an essential part of e-mental health apps. The Self-administered Psycho-TherApy-SystemS (SELFPASS) app is a self-management app to manage depressive and comorbid anxiety symptoms of patients with a depression diagnosis. A self-developed item pool with 40 depression items and 12 anxiety items is included to provide symptom-specific suggestions for interventions. However, the psychometric properties of the item pool have not yet been evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the validity and reliability of the SELFPASS item pool.

METHODS

A weblink with the SELFPASS item pool and validated mood assessment scales was distributed to healthy subjects and patients who had received a diagnosis of a depressive disorder within the last year. Two scores were derived from the SELFPASS item pool: SELFPASS depression (SP-D) and SELFPASS anxiety (SP-A). Reliability was examined using Cronbach α. Construct validity was assessed through Pearson correlations with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the General Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7), and the WHO-5-Wellbeing-Scale (WHO-5). Logistic regression analysis was performed as an indicator for concurrent criterion validity of SP-D and SP-A. Factor analysis was performed to provide information about the underlying factor structure of the item pool. Item-scale correlations were calculated in order to determine item quality.

RESULTS

A total of 284 participants were included, with 192 (67.6%) healthy subjects and 92 (32.4%) patients. Cronbach α was set to .94 for SP-D and α=.88 for SP-A. We found significant positive correlations between SP-D and PHQ-9 scores (r=0.87; P<.001) and between SP-A and GAD-7 scores (r=0.80; P<.001), and negative correlations between SP-D and WHO-5 scores (r=-0.80; P<.001) and between SP-A and WHO-5 scores (r=-0.69; P<.001). Increasing scores of SP-D and SP-A led to increased odds of belonging to the patient group (SP-D: odds ratio 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05; P<.001; SP-A: 1.05, 1.05-1.01; P=.01). The item pool yielded 2 factors: one that consisted of mood-related items and another with somatic-related items.

CONCLUSIONS

The SELFPASS item pool showed good psychometric properties in terms of reliability, construct, and criterion validity. The item pool is an appropriate source for daily mood tracking in future e-mental health apps among patients with depression. Our study provides general recommendations for future developments as well as recommendations within the item pool.

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9: A study amongst tuberculosis patients in the Free State province

Background

There is growing evidence that depression is frequently comorbid with tuberculosis (TB) and is often associated with a decreased quality of life and poor treatment outcomes. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is widely used to screen for depression in clinical settings in low-and middle-income countries. This study examined the construct validity and reliability of an interviewer-administered PHQ-9 in a sample of new TB patients in the Free State province of South Africa.

Methods

A pilot study was conducted in 2019 amongst 208 new adult TB patients attending primary healthcare facilities in the Lejweleputswa District in the Free State. Trained fieldworkers administered a structured questionnaire comprising of questions on patient’s socio-demographic characteristics and the nine-item PHQ-9 to the patients. Confirmatory factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha were respectively used to investigate the construct validity and internal consistency of the PHQ-9.

Results

The model was a good fit, with a Tucker–Lewis index of 0.976, a comparative fit index of 0.982 and a root mean square error of approximation of 0.062 (90% CI: 0.032–0.089). All indicators showed significant positive factor loadings, with standardised coefficients ranging from 0.467 to 0.799. The PHQ-9 was characterised by a single factor latent structure – depression – underlying all items. The Cronbach’s alpha of the scale was 0.84.

Conclusion

The results support a unidimensional structure of the PHQ-9, with satisfactory internal consistency implying that the scale is valid and reliable. The TB programme can confidently consider the PHQ-9 for the routine assessment of depression amongst TB patients in the Free State province and similar settings.

Measurement invariance testing of the patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) across people with and without diabetes mellitus from the NHANES, EMHS and UK Biobank datasets

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of depression is higher among those with diabetes than in the general population. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is commonly used to assess depression in people with diabetes, but measurement invariance of the PHQ-9 across groups of people with and without diabetes has not yet been investigated.

METHODS

Data from three independent cohorts from the USA (n=1,886 with diabetes, n=4,153 without diabetes), Quebec, Canada (n= 800 with diabetes, n= 2,411 without diabetes), and the UK (n=4,981 with diabetes, n=145,570 without diabetes), were used to examine measurement invariance between adults with and without diabetes. A series of multiple group confirmatory factor analyses were performed, with increasingly stringent model constraints applied to assess configural, equal thresholds, and equal thresholds and loadings invariance, respectively. One-factor and two-factor (somatic and cognitive-affective items) models were examined.

RESULTS

Results demonstrated that the most stringent models, testing equal loadings and thresholds, had satisfactory model fit in the three cohorts for one-factor models (RMSEA = .063 or below and CFI = .978 or above) and two-factor models (RMSEA = .042 or below and CFI = .989 or above).

LIMITATIONS

Data were from Western countries only and we could not distinguish between type of diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Results provide support for measurement invariance between groups of people with and without diabetes, using either a one-factor or a two-factor model. While the two-factor solution has a slightly better fit, the one-factor solution is more parsimonious. Depending on research or clinical needs, both factor structures can be used.

Depression subtypes and their response to cognitive behavioral therapy: A latent transition analysis

BACKGROUND

Depression is a heterogeneous condition, with multiple possible symptom-profiles leading to the same diagnosis. Descriptive depression subtypes based on observation and theory have so far proven to have limited clinical utility.

AIM

To identify depression subtypes and to examine their time-course and prognosis using data-driven methods.

METHODS

Latent transition analysis was applied to a large (N = 8380) multi-service sample of depressed patients treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in outpatient clinics. Patients were classed into initial latent states based on their responses to the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 of depression symptoms, and transition probabilities to other states during treatment were quantified. Qualitatively similar states were clustered into overarching depression subtypes and we statistically compared indices of treatment engagement and outcomes between subtypes using post hoc analyses.

RESULTS

Fourteen latent states were clustered into five depression subtypes: mild (2.7%), severe (9.8%), cognitive-affective (23.7%), somatic (21.4%), and typical (42.4%). These subtypes had high temporal stability, and the most common transitions during treatment were from severe toward milder states within the same subtype. Differential response to treatment was evident, with the highest improvement rate (63.6%) observed in the cognitive-affective subtype.

CONCLUSION

Replicated evidence indicates that depression subtypes are temporally stable and associated with differential response to CBT.

Socio-demographic, behavioural and psycho-social factors associated with depression in two Russian cities

BACKGROUND

Russia has a high burden of suicide and alcohol-attributable mortality. However there have been few studies of the epidemiology of depression.

METHODS

The study population was 5077 men and women aged 35-69 years from a cross-sectional population based survey in the cities of Arkhangelsk and Novosibirsk (2015-17). Moderate depression was defined as Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score≥10. Risk factors considered were socio-demographic factors (age, sex, marital status, living alone, education, employment status, financial constraints); health behaviours (smoking, alcohol use) and psycho-social factors (life events and social support).

RESULTS

After mutual adjustment for all other factors, there was evidence that PHQ-9≥10 was associated with sex (higher in women), financial constraints, employment status, being a non-drinker, problem drinking, smoking, not having enough people to confide in and the number of life events in the past 6 months. Employment status was more strongly associated in men (OR 1.84 (95%CI 1.17, 2.88)) than women (OR 1.15 95% CI 0.86, 1.55). The effect size was particularly striking for financial constraints (odd ratio over 3 times higher in those with not enough money for food and clothes compared to no financial constraints), problem drinking (OR 1.72 (1.12, 2.65) among drinkers with CAGE score of 2 and 2.25 (95% CI 1.42, 3.57) in those with score ≥3 compared to zero) and life events (85% higher odds in those experiencing one life event and over 4 times higher odds in those experiencing 3 or more life events) all of which demonstrated a dose-response with PHQ-9>=10.

LIMITATIONS

The study was cross-sectional in nature therefore temporal relationships could not be assessed.

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified here a range of risk factors for depression among the Russian general population consistent with findings from other populations. The strikingly strong association with financial constraints indicates the importance of social inequality for the burden of depression.

Let It Out (LIO) study: protocol for a mixed-methods study to optimise the design and assess the feasibility of an online emotional disclosure-based intervention in UK hospices

INTRODUCTION

The current COVID-19 pandemic has forced hospices to look for more ways to support people remotely, including psychological support. Emotional disclosure-based interventions hold potential as a way of providing support remotely. However, evidence of their efficacy in people with terminal illness is mixed. Reviews have highlighted this may be due to interventions not being tailored to the unique needs of this population. In response to this, we are developing Let It Out (LIO), an online, self-guided emotional disclosure-based intervention tailored for people living with terminal illness.

AIMS

The primary objective of the study is to optimise the design of the LIO intervention. Secondary objectives include assessing its acceptability and feasibility; exploring potential impact on well-being; identifying potential adverse effects; and informing choice of outcome measures for potential future evaluation.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A single arm, mixed-methods, multisite, longitudinal study. Up to 40 people living with a terminal illness under the care of hospices in England and Scotland will receive the online LIO intervention. LIO consists of 3, self-guided expression sessions over 2 weeks. The primary outcome measures are (1) a structured feedback form completed by participants after the final expression session; and (2) semi-structured interviews and focus groups with ≤15 patient participants, ≤30 hospice staff and ≤15 informal carers. These quantitative and qualitative data will be triangulated via process evaluation to inform optimisation of the intervention design. Secondary outcome measures include validated measures of physical and psychological health collected at baseline and after the final expression session (immediately, 1, 4 and 8 weeks after); and data on recruitment, retention and fidelity.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study is approved by the University College London Research Ethics Committee (reference: 15281/002). The findings will be shared through peer-reviewed scientific journals and conferences, and traditional, online and social media platforms.

Comparison of different scoring methods based on latent variable models of the PHQ-9: an individual participant data meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous research on the depression scale of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) has found that different latent factor models have maximized empirical measures of goodness-of-fit. The clinical relevance of these differences is unclear. We aimed to investigate whether depression screening accuracy may be improved by employing latent factor model-based scoring rather than sum scores.

METHODS

We used an individual participant data meta-analysis (IPDMA) database compiled to assess the screening accuracy of the PHQ-9. We included studies that used the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM (SCID) as a reference standard and split those into calibration and validation datasets. In the calibration dataset, we estimated unidimensional, two-dimensional (separating cognitive/affective and somatic symptoms of depression), and bi-factor models, and the respective cut-offs to maximize combined sensitivity and specificity. In the validation dataset, we assessed the differences in (combined) sensitivity and specificity between the latent variable approaches and the optimal sum score (⩾10), using bootstrapping to estimate 95% confidence intervals for the differences.

RESULTS

The calibration dataset included 24 studies (4378 participants, 652 major depression cases); the validation dataset 17 studies (4252 participants, 568 cases). In the validation dataset, optimal cut-offs of the unidimensional, two-dimensional, and bi-factor models had higher sensitivity (by 0.036, 0.050, 0.049 points, respectively) but lower specificity (0.017, 0.026, 0.019, respectively) compared to the sum score cut-off of ⩾10.

CONCLUSIONS

In a comprehensive dataset of diagnostic studies, scoring using complex latent variable models do not improve screening accuracy of the PHQ-9 meaningfully as compared to the simple sum score approach.

The factor structure of major depressive symptoms in a sample of Chinese earthquake survivors

BACKGROUND

Experiencing natural disasters is associated with common mental disorders including major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the latent structure of MDD is widely debated, and few studies tested the MDD factor structure in Chinese natural disaster survivors. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the factorial validity of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for DSM-5 major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms in Chinese earthquake survivors.

METHOD

Participants were 1058 Chinese earthquake survivors. Self-reported measures included the PHQ-9 and the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to examine the latent structure of MDD and the associations between latent factors of MDD and different domains of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), respectively.

RESULTS

In the current sample, the model consisted of somatic and cognitive/affective (non-somatic) factors demonstrated significantly better fit than the other competing MDD models (χ² = 173.89, df = 26, CFI = 0.986, TLI = 0.981, RMSEA = 0.073, BIC = 18,091.13). Further SEM analyses indicated that the non-somatic factor was significantly related to both physical (β = - 0.362, p < .01) and psychosocial HRQoL (β = - 0.773, p < .01), while the somatic factor was a uniquely predictor of physical HRQoL (β = - 0.336, p < .01). Furthermore, we found the somatic factor partially mediated the relationship between the cognitive/affective factor and physical HRQoL (all ps < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The MDD symptoms was best captured by a two-factor model comprised of somatic and cognitive/affective factors in Chinese natural disaster survivors. The two MDD factors were differentially associated with physical and psychosocial HRQoL, and the cognitive/affective factor associated physical HRQoL partially through the somatic factor. The current findings increase our understanding of latent structure of MDD symptoms, and carry implications for assessment and intervention of post-disaster mental health problems.

Validation of the Death and Dying Distress Scale in patients with advanced cancer

BACKGROUND

Distress about dying and death is an important clinical and research outcome in advanced cancer. A 15-item Death and Dying Distress Scale (DADDS) measure has undergone preliminary validation, but full validation in a large sample has not previously been reported. We investigated its psychometric characteristics and responsiveness to a therapeutic intervention.

METHODS

This is a secondary analysis of baseline data obtained from a randomized controlled trial of psychotherapeutic intervention for patients with advanced cancer. Participants (n = 386) completed the DADDS, and measures of depression, anxiety, demoralization, quality of life (including preparation for end of life), spirituality, attachment security, and symptom burden.

RESULTS

A confirmatory factor analysis revealed factors related to "Finitude" and to "Dying." Both factors showed good internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.861-0.949). DADDS scores were significantly higher in females, those with lower income and not working. Construct validity was demonstrated by a positive correlation between DADDS and demoralization (r = 0.569-0.679), and a negative correlation with preparation for the end of life (r = -0.475 to -0.678). At 6 months, intervention participants with moderate DADDS scores at baseline reported significantly lower DADDS scores on both factors compared to usual care.

CONCLUSIONS

The DADDS is a valid and brief two-factor measure that assesses distress related to the shortness of time and to the process of dying. The total and factor scores have utility in the clinical and research assessment of death-related distress in patients with advanced cancer.

Structural validation of The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) among Filipina and Indonesian female migrant domestic workers in Macao: STRUCTURAL VALIDATION OF PHQ-9

Within diverse global populations, validated tools are needed to assess common mental disorders. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is one of the most commonly used depression screeners. However, the PHQ-9 has not been structurally validated among female migrant domestic workers (MDWs). Female MDWs constitute a population numbering 11.5 million, and commonly report depression. This study aimed to structurally validate the PHQ-9 among Filipina and Indonesian female MDWs in Macao Special Administrative Region of China. Participants were recruited using respondent driven sampling. Participants were adult female MDWs from The Philippines (N=1375) or Indonesia (N=367) and legally working in Macao. We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test five structural models of depression using all PHQ-9 items with the Filipina and Indonesian samples. We applied multi-group CFA to test measurement invariance across samples. A two-factor (cognitive/affective, somatic) model yielded the best fit within both samples, and the multi-group CFA demonstrated invariance across samples. The two-factor model best represents the factor structure of the PHQ-9 among Filipina and Indonesian female MDWs.

Clinically Significant Depressive Symptoms Are Prevalent in People With Extremely Short Prognoses-A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

Currently, systematic evidence of the prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms in people with extremely short prognoses is not available to inform its global burden, assessment, and management.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms in people with advanced life-limiting illnesses and extremely short prognoses (range of days to weeks).

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis (random-effects model) were performed (PROSPERO: CRD42019125119). MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and CareSearch were searched for studies (1994-2019). Data were screened for the prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms (assessed using validated depression-specific screening tools or diagnostic criteria) of adults with advanced life-limiting illnesses and extremely short prognoses (defined by survival or functional status). Quality assessment was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Systematic Reviews Checklist for Prevalence Studies for individual studies and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) across studies.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies were included. The overall pooled prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms in adults with extremely short prognoses (n = 10 studies; extremely short prognoses: N = 905) using depression-specific screening tools was 50% (95% CI: 29%-70%; I² = 97.6%). Prevalence of major and minor depression was 10% (95% CI: 4%-16%) and 5% (95% CI: 2%-8%), respectively. Major limitations included high heterogeneity, selection bias, and small sample sizes in individual studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinically, significant depressive symptoms were prevalent in people with advanced life-limiting illnesses and extremely short prognoses. Clinicians need to be proactive in the recognition and assessment of these symptoms to allow for timely intervention.

On Dimensionality, Measurement Invariance, and Suitability of Sum Scores for the PHQ-9 and the GAD-7

In psychiatry, severity of mental health conditions and their change over time are usually measured via sum scores of items on psychometric scales. However, inferences from such scores can be biased if psychometric properties such as unidimensionality and temporal measurement invariance for instruments are not met. Here, we aimed to evaluate these properties for common measures of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment-7) in a large clinical sample (N = 22,362) undergoing psychotherapy. In addition, we tested consistency in dimensionality results across different methods (parallel analysis, factor analysis, explained common variance, the partial credit model, and the Mokken model). Results showed that while both Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment-7 are multidimensional instruments with highly correlated factors, there is justification for sum scores as measures of severity. Temporal measurement invariance across 10 therapy sessions was evaluated. Strict temporal measurement invariance was established in both scales, allowing researchers to compare sum scores as severity measures across time.

A cross-sectional gender-sensitive analysis of depressive symptoms in patients with advanced cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients with advanced cancer commonly report depressive symptoms. Examinations of gender differences in depressive symptoms in patients with advanced cancer have yielded inconsistent findings.

AIM

The objective of this study was to investigate whether the severity and correlates of depressive symptoms differ by gender in patients with advanced cancer.

DESIGN

Participants completed measures assessing sociodemographic and medical characteristics, disease burden, and psychosocial factors. Depressive symptoms were examined using the Patient Health Questionnaire, and other measures included physical functioning, symptom burden, general anxiety, death related distress, and dimensions of demoralization. A cross-sectional analysis examined the univariate and multivariate relationships between gender and depressive symptoms, while controlling for important covariates in multivariate analyses.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

Patients with advanced cancer (N = 305, 40% males and 60% females) were recruited for a psychotherapy trial from outpatient oncology clinics at a comprehensive cancer center in Canada.

RESULTS

Severity of depressive symptoms was similar for males (M = 7.09, SD = 4.59) and females (M = 7.66, SD = 5.01), t(303) = 1.01, p = 0.314. Greater general anxiety and number of cancer symptoms were associated with depressive symptoms in both males and females. Feeling like a failure (β = 0.192), less death anxiety (β = -0.188), severity of cancer symptoms (β = 0.166), and older age (β = 0.161) were associated with depressive symptoms only in males, while disheartenment (β = 0.216) and worse physical functioning (β = 0.275), were associated with depressive symptoms only in females.

CONCLUSIONS

Males and females report similar levels of depressive symptoms but the pathways to depression may differ by gender. These differences suggest the potential for gender-based preventive and therapeutic interventions in this population.

Systematic review of the factor structure and measurement invariance of the patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and validation of the Portuguese version in community settings

BACKGROUND

This research sought to review studies that examined the factor structure of the PHQ-9 using a confirmatory factor analysis approach (Study 1); to review studies that tested the measurement invariance of the PHQ-9 (Study 2); to examine the psychometric properties of the European Portuguese version in the general population (Study 3).

METHODS

Using PRISMA guidelines, a search was performed on Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Scopus from 2001 to August 2019. Assessment of eligibility criteria and data extraction were conducted by two independent researchers (Studies 1 and 2). In Study 3, data were collected from 1479 Portuguese adults, using a cross-sectional design. The BDI-II and the GDS-15 were administered to examine convergent validity.

RESULTS

The systematic review identified four-factor models of the PHQ-9 (Study 1). Nineteen studies supported a one-factor model, whereas 12 found evidence for a two-factor model. Both models were supported in general, clinical, psychiatric, and international samples. Study 2 identified ten studies that examined PHQ-9 measurement invariance across 18 groups. The PHQ-9 measurement invariance was fully supported across studies. Study 3 revealed that a two-factor model showed a close fit to data in the European Portuguese version of the PHQ-9. Measurement invariance, reliability, and convergent and divergent validity were also established.

LIMITATIONS

Study 3 did not include a gold standard measure of depression to evaluate PHQ-9 diagnostic properties.

CONCLUSIONS

Conceptual implications of the findings are discussed, and recommendations for using the Portuguese version of the PHQ-9 as a screening measure in community settings are also highlighted.

Establishing reliability and validity for mental health screening instruments in resource-constrained settings: Systematic review of the PHQ-9 and key recommendations

Mental illness is one of the largest contributors to the global disease burden. The importance of valid and reliable mental health measures is crucial in order to accurately measure said burden, to capture symptom improvement, and to ensure that symptoms are appropriately identified and quantified. This is of particular importance in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the burden of mental illness is relatively high, and there is heterogeneity in linguistic, racial, and ethnic groups. Using the PHQ-9 as an illustrative example, this systematic review aims to provide an overview of existing work and highlight common validation and reporting practices. A systematic review of published literature validating the use of the PHQ-9 in LMICs as indexed in the PubMed and PsychInfo databases was conducted. The review included n = 49 articles (reduced from n = 2,349). This manuscript summarizes these results in terms of the frequency of reporting on important procedures and in regards to the types of reliability and validity measured. Then, building off of the existing literature, we provide key recommendations for measure validation in LMICs, which can be generalized for any type of measure used in a setting in which it was not initially developed.

Heterogeneous association patterns of depressive subfactors in suicidality: The 2014 and 2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

BACKGROUND

The heterogeneity of depressive symptoms in suicidality is poorly understood. This study examines the heterogeneous association between subfactors of depressive symptoms in suicidality.

METHODS

The data of 5742 participants aged 19 and older were taken from the 2014 and 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys and analyzed. Subfactors of depressive symptoms were identified utilizing factor analyses that yielded two groups (typical- and other-depressive factors). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between each factor and suicidality after adjusting for covariates.

RESULTS

Typical depressive factors included cardinal and somatic symptoms, whereas other depressive factors contained cognitive and other symptoms. The typical factors were associated with each suicidality in succession, however, others depressive factors were not. The heterogeneity of subfactors made the greatest impact on suicide attempts, controlling for all covariates, followed by suicide plans, with a robust coefficient of typical depressive factors. These differential patterns of subfactors existed especially in females and younger people, suggesting the importance of concerning typical depressive factors for those groups.

LIMITATIONS

Although a confirmatory factor analysis was performed, depressive subfactors need validation and reliability tests.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study findings may help to explain why an improved understanding of the typical depressive factors including cardinal and somatic symptoms is important to prevent suicidality, especially in females and younger people.

Normative data and psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in a nationally representative Korean population

BACKGROUND

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) has been standardized in several populations and is widely used in clinical practice and health care. However, it has not been appropriately standardized in the Korean general population, and no normative data have been presented. The aim of this study was to provide the normative data and psychometric properties of the PHQ-9 in the nationally representative population of Korea.

METHODS

We used the nationwide cross-sectional survey data of Korea from 2014 to 2016. The data of 10,759 individuals aged over 19 years were analyzed in this study. As the distribution of the PHQ-9 scores was not normative, the percentile ranks for raw scores were provided. The survey questionnaires included the PHQ-9, The EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D), and demographic characteristics. We analyzed the construct validity and internal consistency of the PHQ-9.

RESULTS

The normative data of the PHQ-9 were generated according to the sex and different age categories. The correlation coefficient between the sum of the PHQ-9 scores and the EQ-5D index was 0.44, which was moderate. The most appropriate model was the two-factor model with five 'affective-somatic' labeled items and four 'cognitive' labeled items. Cronbach's α for the PHQ-9 was 0.79.

CONCLUSIONS

Our result supports reliability and validity with two-factor structure of PHQ-9 for measuring depression in the Korean nationally representative population. The Korean normative data on the PHQ-9 according to percentile rank can assist in interpreting and comparing scores with other populations.

Psychometric Properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in Elderly Chilean Primary Care Users

Background: This study aimed to assess the measurement properties (reliability, factor structure, and criterion validity) of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) as an instrument for screening major depressive disorder (MDD) in elderly primary care users in Chile. Method: About 582 participants aged between 65 and 80 years were enrolled from primary care centers. They completed the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), a survey with sociodemographic characteristics and the PHQ-9. Results: The PHQ-9 revealed an acceptable internal consistency (ω = 0.79 [95% CI: 0.75-0.80] and α = 0.78 [95% CI: 0.75-0.81]); confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a good fit for both 1- and 2-factor solutions. The chi-square difference test (χ² = 0.61, gl = 1, p = 0.43) and correlation between the somatic and the cognitive-effective latent factors were very high (r = 0.97, p < 0.001), indicating that the 1 factor model was more parsimonious. Utilizing the CIDI as the gold standard, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.88 (SE = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.84-0.90). The optimal cut-off score of ≥ 6 yielded good sensitivity and specificity for detecting MDD (0.95 and 0.76, respectively). However, considering the clinical utility index, the cut-off score of ≥9 proved to be a more effective marker for discarding cases of MDD. Conclusion: The PHQ-9 has adequate psychometric properties for elderly primary care users. In clinical settings, it showed its greatest utility in ruling out the presence of an MDD, however, its clinical value for identifying possible cases of MDD is limited. In cases above the cut-off point, it is recommended to perform a more thorough evaluation.

The reliability and validity of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and PHQ-2 in patients with infertility

Background

Depression in patients with infertility often goes undiagnosed and untreated. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and its ultra-brief version (i.e. PHQ-2) are widely used measures of depressive symptoms. These scales have not been validated in patients with infertility. The aim of the present study was to examine the reliability and validity of the PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 in patients with infertility.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 539 patients with infertility from a referral infertility clinic in Tehran, Iran completed the PHQ-9, along with other relevant scales: the WHO-five Well-being Index (WHO-5), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Factor structure and internal consistency of PHQ-9 were examined via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Cronbach’s alpha, respectively. Convergent validity was evaluated by relationship with WHO-5, HADS and GAD-7.

Results

The mean total PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 scores were 8.47 ± 6.17 and 2.42 ± 1.86, respectively, and using a cut-off value of 10 (for PHQ-9) and 3 (for PHQ-2), the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 38.6 and 43.6%, respectively. The Cronbach’s alphas for PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 were, respectively, 0.851 and 0.767, indicating good internal consistency. The CFA results confirmed the one-factor model of the PHQ-9 (χ²/df = 4.29; CFI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.078 and SRMR = 0.044). Both PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 showed moderate to strong correlation with the measures of WHO-5, HADS-depression, HADS-anxiety, and the GAD-7, confirming convergent validity. In univariate analysis, female sex, long infertility duration, and unsuccessful treatment were significantly associated with depression symptoms.

Conclusion

Both PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 are brief and easy to use measures of depressive symptoms with good psychometric properties that appear suitable for routine use in patients with infertility.

Valid group comparisons can be made with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9): A measurement invariance study across groups by demographic characteristics

Objective

Analyze the measurement invariance and the factor structure of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) in the Peruvian population.

Method

Secondary data analysis performed using cross-sectional data from the Health Questionnaire of the Demographic and Health Survey in Peru. Variables of interest were the PHQ-9 and demographic characteristics (sex, age group, level of education, socioeconomic status, marital status, and area of residence). Factor structure was evaluated by standard confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and measurement invariance by multi-group CFA, using standard goodness-of-fit indices criteria for interpreting results from both CFAs. Analysis of the internal consistency (α and ω) was also pursued.

Results

Data from 30,449 study participants were analyzed, 56.7% were women, average age was 40.5 years (standard deviation (SD) = 16.3), 65.9% lived in urban areas, 74.6% were married, and had 9 years of education on average (SD = 4.6). From standard CFA, a one-dimensional model presented the best fit (CFI = 0.936; RMSEA = 0.089; SRMR = 0.039). From multi-group CFA, all progressively restricted models had ΔCFI<0.01 across almost all groups by demographic characteristics. PHQ-9 reliability was optimal (α = ω = 0.87).

Conclusions

The evidence presents support for the one-dimensional model and measurement invariance of the PHQ-9 measure, allowing for reliable comparisons between sex, age groups, education level, socioeconomic status, marital status, and residence area, and recommends its use within the Peruvian population.

Measurement invariance of the patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) depression screener in U.S. adults across sex, race/ethnicity, and education level: NHANES 2005-2016

BACKGROUND

Despite its popularity, little is known about the measurement invariance of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) across U.S. sociodemographic groups. Use of a screener shown not to possess measurement invariance could result in under/over-detection of depression, potentially exacerbating sociodemographic disparities in depression. Therefore, we assessed the factor structure and measurement invariance of the PHQ-9 across major U.S. sociodemographic groups.

METHODS

U.S. population representative data came from the 2005-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cohorts. We conducted a measurement invariance analysis of 31,366 respondents across sociodemographic factors of sex, race/ethnicity, and education level.

RESULTS

Considering results of single-group confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs), depression theory, and research utility, we justify a two-factor structure for the PHQ-9 consisting of a cognitive/affective factor and a somatic factor (RMSEA = 0.034, TLI = 0.985, CFI = 0.989). On the basis of multiple-group CFAs testing configural, scalar, and strict factorial invariance, we determined that invariance held for sex, race/ethnicity, and education level groups, as all models demonstrated close model fit (RMSEA = 0.025-0.025, TLI = 0.985-0.992, CFI = 0.986-0.991). Finally, for all steps ΔCFI was <-0.004, and ΔRMSEA was <0.01.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate that the PHQ-9 is acceptable to use in major U.S. sociodemographic groups and allows for meaningful comparisons in total, cognitive/affective, and somatic depressive symptoms across these groups, extending its use to the community. This knowledge is timely as medicine moves towards alternative payment models emphasizing high-quality and cost-efficient care, which will likely incentivize behavioral and population health efforts. We also provide a consistent, evidence-based approach for calculating PHQ-9 subscale scores.

Screening for depression in cancer patients using the PHQ-9: The accuracy of somatic compared to non-somatic items

BACKGROUND

The PHQ-9 is a standard screening tool for depressive disorders in cancer patients. As for the frequently reported symptom overlap with somatic disease, it has been debated whether somatic items are suitable for identifying depressive disorders in cancer patients. Thus, this study examines the diagnostic accuracy of somatic versus cognitive-emotional PHQ-9 items.

METHODS

The routine data of 4,705 patients, screened at the National Center for Tumor Diseases in Heidelberg between 2011 and 2016, was analyzed. For the single PHQ-9 items, receiver operating characteristics (ROC), sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV), the Youden Index (YI), and the Clinical Utility Index (UI+/UI-) were applied for the diagnoses of major depressive disorder (MDD) and any depressive disorder (ADD).

RESULTS

The non-somatic items played a pivotal role in the diagnosis of MDD, whereas the diagnostic accuracy of the somatic items increased in the diagnosis of ADD. For both MDD and ADD, the best performance was achieved by the non-somatic items "little interest" and "feeling down."

LIMITATIONS

In this study, only one self-reported instrument was used (i.e., the PHQ-9). In other words, the diagnoses were not validated by clinical interviews or other self-reported instruments.

CONCLUSION

The somatic PHQ-9 items showed less discriminatory value than the non-somatic items. However, they may be useful as screening mechanisms for identifying at-risk cancer patients with mild/moderate depression. Disregarding the somatic items would lead to an underestimation of depressive syndromes and inadequate treatment of somatic symptoms.

The measurement invariance of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for American Indian adults

BACKGROUND

American Indian people have high suicide rates. However, little epidemiological data is available on depression prevalence, a suicide risk factor, in this population. Some research suggests that depression scales may perform differently for American Indian people. However, the Patient Health Questionnnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a depression scale widely-used in clinical practice, had not been assessed for cross-cultural measurement invariance with American Indian people.

METHODS

In this retrospective study of existing electronic health record (EHR) data in an upper Midwestern healthcare system, we assessed the measurement invariance of the standard one-factor PHQ-9 and five previously identified two-factor models for 4443 American Indian and 4443 Caucasian American adults (age >= 18) with a PHQ-9 in the EHR from 12/1/2005 to 12/31/2017. We also conducted subgroup analyses with adults ages >= 65.

RESULTS

Models showed good fits (e.g., CFI > 0.99, RMSEA < 0.05) and internal consistency reliability (ordinal alpha > 0.80). All models displayed measurement invariance between racial groups. Factor correlation was high for two-factor models, providing support for the one-factor model. American Indian adults had significantly higher odds of PHQ-9 total scores >= 10 and >= 15 than Caucasian American adults.

LIMITATIONS

Data came from a single healthcare system.

CONCLUSIONS

The PHQ-9 exhibited cross-cultural measurement invariance between American Indian and Caucasian American adults, supporting the PHQ-9 as a depression screening tool in this clinical care population. American Indian adults also had higher levels of depression than Caucasian Americans. Future research could confirm the generalizability of our findings to other American Indian populations.

Measurement validity of the Patient-Health Questionnaire-9 in US nursing home residents

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to assess the measurement properties of the self-reported Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and its 10-item observer version (PHQ-10OV) among nursing home residents.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of Minimum Data Set 3.0 assessments for national cohorts of Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries who were newly admitted or incident long-stay residents in 2014-2015 at US nursing homes (NHs) certified by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Statistical analyses included examining internal reliability with McDonald's omega, structural validity with confirmatory factor analysis, and hypothesis testing for expected gender differences and criterion validity with descriptive statistics. The Chronic Condition Warehouse depression diagnoses were used as an administrative reference standard.

RESULTS

Both the PHQ-9 and PHQ-10OV had good internal reliability with omega values above 0.85. The self-reported scale yielded good model fit for a one-factor solution, while the PHQ-10OV had slightly poorer fit and a lower standardized factor loading on the additional irritability item. Both scales appear sufficiently one-dimensional given that somatic items had higher factor loading on a general depression factor than on a somatic subfactor. We were unable to obtain expected gender differences on the PHQ-10OV scale. The PHQ-9 and PHQ-10OV were both highly specific but had poor sensitivity compared with an administrative reference standard.

CONCLUSIONS

The PHQ-9 appears to be a valid and promising measurement instrument for research about depression among NH residents, while the validity of the PHQ-10OV should be examined further with a structured psychiatric interview as a stronger criterion standard.