Reliability and validity of the Kessler 10 and Patient Health Questionnaire among injecting drug users

Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2007 Feb;41(2):166-8. doi: 10.1080/00048670601109949.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the reliability and validity of the Kessler 10 (K10) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) in a sample of injecting drug users (IDUs).

Method: Participants were 103 IDUs with a current substance use disorder accessing a needle and syringe programme. Presence of mental health disorders was assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).

Results: Both the K10 and PHQ had high levels of internal consistency and concurrent validity. Individuals with a positive screen on the K10 were ten lines more likely to have a current affective disorder, while those with a positive PHQ screen had nearly 14 times the risk.

Conclusions: The K10 and PHQ are recommended as brief screening and diagnostic tools for current affective disorders among IDUs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • Female
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / epidemiology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*