The PHQ-9 is a self-report measure, consisting of 9 questions based on the 9 DSM-IV criteria for major depressive episode. It refers to symptoms experienced by the patients during the two weeks prior to answering the questionnaires. After obtaining permission from the copy right holder, the PHQ-9 was translated following the guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures [18 (link)]. The process included two independent forward translations of the original PHQ-9 into Thai, consensus between translators on a forward translation, back-translation by a bilingual English teacher, and a review of the back-translation. Ten patients attending the out-patient department were invited to complete and to give comments on the pre-final version. Final modifications and adjustments were made accordingly.
Unlike many other questionnaires, the original PHQ-9 uses simple statements without culture-specific phrases, so there were only a few problems in the translation. Among the problems we encountered was the translation of particular words or phrases such as 'feeling down', 'fidgety' and 'restless'. After some discussions, the investigators were able to find phrases in Thai that conveyed approximately the same meanings.
Scores for each item in the PHQ-9 range from 0 (not at all), to 1 (several days), 2 (more than half of the days) and 3 (nearly every day), while summed scores range from 0 to 27. The PHQ-9 can be used as a screening tool with recommended cut-off scores of ten or greater for the diagnosis of major depression [11 (link)]. It can also be used to establish a diagnosis following a categorical algorithm. A major depressive disorder is diagnosed if 5 or more of the 9 symptoms have been present at least more than half the days of the past 2 weeks and 1 of these symptoms has been either depressed mood or anhedonia.
Unlike many other questionnaires, the original PHQ-9 uses simple statements without culture-specific phrases, so there were only a few problems in the translation. Among the problems we encountered was the translation of particular words or phrases such as 'feeling down', 'fidgety' and 'restless'. After some discussions, the investigators were able to find phrases in Thai that conveyed approximately the same meanings.
Scores for each item in the PHQ-9 range from 0 (not at all), to 1 (several days), 2 (more than half of the days) and 3 (nearly every day), while summed scores range from 0 to 27. The PHQ-9 can be used as a screening tool with recommended cut-off scores of ten or greater for the diagnosis of major depression [11 (link)]. It can also be used to establish a diagnosis following a categorical algorithm. A major depressive disorder is diagnosed if 5 or more of the 9 symptoms have been present at least more than half the days of the past 2 weeks and 1 of these symptoms has been either depressed mood or anhedonia.
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