- PHQ-3 (AUC 0.96) and GAD-3 (AUC 0.91) demonstrated acceptable discriminative ability for screening.
- Optimal cut-offs: PHQ-3 ≥4 (sensitivity 91%, specificity 87%); PHQ-2 ≥3 (79%, 90%); GAD-3 ≥4 (94%, 78%); GAD-2 ≥3 (76%, 91%).
- Three-item PHQ-3 and GAD-3 enable faster screening, suitable for early detection in adolescents and young adults from deprived urban areas.
Rev Colomb Psiquiatr (Engl Ed). 2026 Jul-Sep;55(3):269-275. doi: 10.1016/j.rcpeng.2026.10.004.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the PHQ-3, PHQ-2, GAD-3, and GAD-2 in young people from deprived urban areas in Bogotá, Buenos Aires, and Lima for early depression and anxiety detection.
METHODS: Adolescents (15-16 years) and young adults (20-24 years) from low-income neighborhoods in these cities were recruited. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were assessed at different cut-off points. A ROC curve analysis was performed, obtaining the AUC with 95% CI using PHQ-8 and GAD-7 (cut-off ≥10) as references. The Youden index identified optimal cut-off points.
RESULTS: Two thousand four hundred two individuals completed PHQ-8 and GAD-7; 45.0% were adolescents, 55.0% young adults. Depression symptoms were present in 53.0% and anxiety in 40.9%. AUC values were 0.96 (PHQ-3) and 0.91 (PHQ-2). Optimal cut-offs: PHQ-3 ≥4 (sensitivity 91%, specificity 87%), PHQ-2 ≥3 (sensitivity 79%, specificity 90%), GAD-3 ≥4 (sensitivity 94%, specificity 78%), and GAD-2 ≥3 (sensitivity 76%, specificity 91%).
CONCLUSIONS: PHQ-3 and GAD-3 scales demonstrate acceptable discriminative ability for screening depression and anxiety in young people living in deprived urban areas of the studied cities. Then, their three-item format allows for symptom screening with a shorter response time.
PMID:42957392 | DOI:10.1016/j.rcpeng.2026.10.004
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