Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) Calculator

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Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) Calculator
1. Over the last week, how often have you been bothered by stomach pain?
2. Over the last week, how often have you been bothered by back pain?
3. Over the last week, how often have you been bothered by pain in your arms, legs or joints (knees, hips, etc.)?
4. Over the last week, how often have you been bothered by menstrual cramps or other problems with your periods?
5. Over the last week, how often have you been bothered by headaches?
6. Over the last week, how often have you been bothered by dizziness?
7. Over the last week, how often have you been bothered by feeling your heart pound or race?
8. Over the last week, how often have you been bothered by shortness of breath?
9. Over the last week, how often have you been bothered by pain or problems during sexual intercourse?
10. Over the last week, how often have you been bothered by constipation, loose bowels or diarrhea?
11. Over the last week, how often have you been bothered by nausea, gas or indigestion?
12. Over the last week, how often have you been bothered by feeling tired or having low energy?
13. Over the last week, how often have you been bothered by trouble sleeping?
14. Over the last week, how often have you been bothered by chest pain?
15. Over the last week, how often have you been bothered by fainting spells?
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Hello there, health enthusiasts! Ready for an exciting journey into the world of the PHQ-15? Well, buckle up, because that’s where we’re heading!

Calculation Formula

Now, let’s get serious. The PHQ-15 score is calculated by assigning scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3 to the response categories of “not at all”, “bothered a little”, and “bothered a lot”. The total score can range from 0 to 30.

score = 0
for response in responses:
    if response == "not at all":
        score += 0
    elif response == "bothered a little":
        score += 1
    elif response == "bothered a lot":
        score += 2

Score Interpretation

Score Range Interpretation
0-5 Minimal
6-10 Low
11-15 Medium
16-20 High
>21 Severe

Calculation Examples

Remember, these are just examples. Don’t take them too seriously!

Name Responses Score
John Not at all bothered by anything 0
Jane Bothered a little by everything 15
Joe Bothered a lot by everything 30

Calculation Methods

Method Advantages Disadvantages Accuracy
Direct Calculation Fast, Easy No context High
Machine Learning Contextual Complex Medium

Evolution of PHQ-15 Calculation

Year Development
1999 Introduction of PHQ-15
2005 Widespread adoption
2010 Machine learning applications

Limitations of Accuracy

  1. Subjectivity: Responses are based on patient self-report, which can be subjective.
  2. Context: The PHQ-15 does not take the context of symptoms into account.
  3. Variability: Patient symptoms can vary over time.

Alternative Methods

Method Pros Cons
GAD-7 Focuses on anxiety Does not cover somatic symptoms
PHQ-9 Includes depressive symptoms Less focus on physical symptoms

FAQs

  1. What is the PHQ-15? The Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) is a self-administered tool used to assess the severity of somatic symptoms.
  2. What is a high PHQ-15 score? A high PHQ-15 score (above 15) indicates a high level of somatic symptoms.
  3. How is the PHQ-15 score calculated? The PHQ-15 score is calculated by assigning scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3 to the response categories of “not at all”, “bothered a little”, and “bothered a lot”.
  4. What does a low PHQ-15 score mean? A low PHQ-15 score (below 5) indicates minimal somatic symptoms.
  5. Can I calculate my own PHQ-15 score? Yes, you can calculate your own PHQ-15 score using the formula provided.
  6. What are the limitations of the PHQ-15 calculation? The limitations include subjectivity, lack of context, and variability of symptoms over time.
  7. What are some alternative methods to the PHQ-15? Alternative methods include the GAD-7, which focuses on anxiety, and the PHQ-9, which includes depressive symptoms.
  8. Is the PHQ-15 widely used? Yes, the PHQ-15 has been widely adopted since 2005.
  9. Are there machine learning applications for the PHQ-15? Yes, machine learning applications have been developed for the PHQ-15 since 2010.
  10. Where can I find more information on the PHQ-15? You can find more information from resources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute of Mental Health.

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Provides a detailed guide on understanding and using the PHQ-15.
  2. National Institute of Mental Health: Offers resources about different methods of measuring somatic symptoms.