Profiles of depression in a treatment-seeking Hispanic population: Psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9.

objectivesScreening instruments can be powerful tools in assisting primary care providers with detecting depression in their patients and monitoring treatment response. Health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities result from inaccurate assessment in primary care.

methodsThe current study used baseline data from two federally funded research studies of treatment for depression among Hispanics in primary care. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was administered at baseline prior to the study interventions, and 499 participants provided responses.

resultsConfirmatory factor analyses found excellent factor validity for the PHQ-9, yet reliability remained poor. Possible heterogeneity in depressive item scores was examined, and latent profile analysis identified four distinct profiles of PHQ-9 responses. Profiles included a lower depression, moderate/somatization, moderate/negative self-view, and severe depression profiles. Results indicate modest support for the PHQ-9 and its use among Hispanics for the purpose of depression screening.

conclusionCapturing four profiles of depression in a large primary care sample helps characterize the manifestation of depression in a Hispanic population. The single item related to fatigue had the greatest variation across groups indicating it might be useful as a screening item. Inadequate evaluation of symptoms could lead to significant under identification of the disorder among Hispanics.