Analysis of brief screening tools for the detection of postpartum depression: Comparisons of the PRAMS 6-item instrument, PHQ-9, and structured interviews

Postpartum depression (PPD) is an important mental health issue affecting approximately 10 % of women. Self-report screening measures represent utility for detecting PPD in both clinical and research settings. The current study sought to inspect the accuracy of two screening measures compared to clinical interviews. As part of an ongoing clinical trial, 1,392 women between the ages of 18 and 45 were screened for PPD using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and a six-item scale developed from CDC Pregnancy Risk Assessment questions (PRAMS-6). Three item subscales of the PRAMS-6 were also inspected—three depression (PRAMS-3D) and three anxiety items (PRAMS-3A). Receiver operating characteristics compared the diagnostic accuracy of the PHQ-9, PRAMS-6, PRAMS-3D, and PRAMS-3A to both the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV (SCID) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. The PHQ-9, PRAMS-6, and PRAMS-3D all showed moderate accuracy at diagnosing PPD. Diagnostic cut points are provided. The PRAMS-6 instrument is a brief and effective screening tool for PPD. The time frame of symptom assessment may account for some variability in accuracy between the PHQ-9 and PRAMS screening instruments.