TY - JOUR
PY - 2015//
TI - Validation of a brief, two question depression screen in trauma patients
JO - Journal of trauma and acute care surgery
A1 - Warren, Ann Marie
A1 - Reynolds, Megan
A1 - Foreman, Michael L.
A1 - Bennett, Monica M.
A1 - Weddle, Jo
A1 - Austin, Jessica Danielle
A1 - Roden-Foreman, Kenleigh
A1 - Petrey, Laura B.
SP - 318
EP - 323
VL - 80
IS - 2
N2 - INTRODUCTION: Increasingly, depression following traumatic injury is recognized as a complication of injury. Unlike mandated screening for risky alcohol use in trauma centers, screening for psychological risks is not required by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT). Limited resources and time constraints are commonly given reasons against routine screening. The purpose of this study was to determine if a two item screen was as valid as an eight question screen for depression.
METHODS: 421 patients were given the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) during initial hospitalization to assess depression in a prospective study at a level I trauma center. A cut off score ≥10 (possible range of 0-24) on the PHQ-8 is used as diagnostic for depression. The PHQ-2 (possible range 0-6) is derived from the first two questions of the PHQ-8 and contains items assessing sad mood and loss of interest/pleasure over the previous two weeks. A cut off score ≥3 was considered to be a positive screen. Discriminatory ability of the PHQ-2 was calculated.
RESULTS: The sample was predominantly male (65%) and Caucasian (67%). The majority (85%) sustained a blunt trauma, the primary cause of injury was motor vehicle collision (37%), with a mean Injury Severity Score of 11.6. 142 (34%) were positive for depression on the PHQ-8. When comparing the PHQ-2 to the PHQ-8, a sensitivity of 76.1 and specificity of 92.8 were found, as well as a positive predictive value of 84.4.
CONCLUSIONS: The result of our study confirms that depression is a frequent condition (34%) among individuals who sustain physical injury. The PHQ-2 appears to have acceptable sensitivity and specificity to identify depression in this population. The use of a two item screening questionnaire is a minimal addition to the evaluation of patients after injury, allowing for earlier intervention and better outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 2163-0755 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/TA.0000000000000898 ID - ref1 ER -