Comparing depression screening tools (CESD-10, EPDS, PHQ-9, and PHQ-2) for diagnostic performance and epidemiologic associations among postpartum Kenyan women: Implications for research and practice.

BACKGROUND

Identifying optimal depression screening tools for use in maternal health clinics could improve maternal and infant health. We compared four tools for diagnostic performance and epidemiologic associations.

METHODS

This study was nested in a cluster-randomized trial in Kenya. Women in 20 maternal health clinics were evaluated at 6 weeks postpartum with Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and -2 (PHQ-9, PHQ-2) for moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (MSD) [CESD-10 ≥ 10, EPDS≥13, PHQ-9 ≥ 10, or PHQ-2 ≥ 3]. We assessed area under the curve (AUC) per scale (CESD-10, EPDS) against probable major depressive disorder (MDD) using the PHQ-9 scoring algorithm. Associations between MSD and intimate partner violence (IPV) were compared between scales.

RESULTS

Among 3605 women, median age was 24 and 10 % experienced IPV. Prevalence of MSD symptoms varied by tool: 13 % CESD-10, 9 % EPDS, 5 % PHQ-2, 3 % PHQ-9. Compared to probable MDD, the CESD-10 (AUC:0.82) had higher AUC than the EPDS (AUC:0.75). IPV was associated with MSD using all scales: EPDS (RR:2.5, 95%CI:1.7-3.7), PHQ-2 (RR:2.3, 95%CI:1.6-3.4), CESD-10 (RR:1.9, 95%CI:1.2-2.9), PHQ-9 (RR:1.8, 95%CI:0.8-3.8).

LIMITATIONS

Our study did not include clinical diagnosis of MDD by a specialized clinician, instead we used provisional diagnosis of probable MDD classified by the PHQ-9 algorithm as a reference standard in diagnostic performance evaluations.

CONCLUSION

Depression screening tools varied in detection of postpartum MSD. The PHQ-2 would prompt fewer referrals and showed strong epidemiologic association with a cofactor.

Informations de copyright

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Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Conflict of interest This paper represents the opinions of the authors and is not meant to represent the position or opinions of organizations, nor the official position of any staff members. Ms. Larsen reports grants from NIH during the conduct of the study. Dr. Bhat reports grants from NIH, grants from PCORI, and grants from Perigee Foundation during the conduct of the study. Dr. John-Stewart reports grants from NIH, grants from CDC, grants from Thrasher, personal fees from UpToDate, personal fees from UW, grants from IMPAACT, outside the submitted work. Dr. Kinuthia reports grants from NIH, during the conduct of the study. Dr. Pintye reports grants from NIH during the conduct of the study.