How are PHQ-9 scores used in clinical decision-making?

• A. Lower scores indicate greater depressive severity.
• B. Higher scores indicate greater depressive severity and guide treatment decisions.
• C. PHQ-9 measures anxiety.
• D. PHQ-9 measures sleep quality.

Answer: (B)

PHQ-9 scores quantify depressive symptom severity and guide clinical decisions. The nine items assess symptoms over the past two weeks, each scored 0 to 3, giving a total that ranges from 0 to 27. As the total rises, the level of depressive burden increases, which helps clinicians decide next steps—whether to start or adjust treatment, choose between psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, or a combination, and how intensively to follow up or monitor safety. The tool is also used to track response over time, so changes in score can show whether a treatment plan should be maintained, escalated, or changed. While it touches on sleep and concentration, it does not specifically measure anxiety or sleep quality, which are better assessed by other instruments.