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.