Abstract
There is increased emphasis on routine assessment of depression in primary care. This report is the first UK validation of two self-completed measures: the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ–9) and the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation – Outcome Measure (CORE–OM). Optimum cut-off points were established against a diagnostic gold standard in 93 patients. PHQ–9 sensitivity = 91.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 77.5 to 98.3%) and specificity 78.3% (95% CI = 65.8 to 87.9%). CORE–OM sensitivity = 91.7% (95% CI = 77.5 to 98.2%) and specificity = 76.7% (95% CI = 64.0 to 86.6%). Brief self-rated questionnaires are as good as clinician-administered instruments in detecting depression in UK primary care.
- Received June 14, 2006.
- Revision received November 25, 2006.
- Accepted December 7, 2006.
- © British Journal of General Practice, 2007.