Depression Hidden Inside Chronic Disease

PHQ-9 Screening Study · SCCL Hospital, India · 2021–2022 · Sai Manasa Adduru, PharmD, MPH

N = 1,066 patients PHQ-9 Validated Instrument Cross-sectional Design 6 Disease Groups

1,066

Total patients screened across chronic disease groups

11.2

Mean PHQ-9 in CKD patients · highest burden across all groups

41%

Patients with moderate–severe depression (PHQ-9 ≥10)

r=0.34

Correlation: disease severity and PHQ-9 (p < 0.001)

Mean PHQ-9 Score by Disease Group

CKD patients showed the highest mean PHQ-9 (11.2) · placing them firmly in the moderately severe range and representing the heaviest undetected burden across all groups.

Depression Severity Distribution (All Patients)

41% of patients screened at moderate or higher severity · yet depression was not a primary diagnosis for the majority of them.

Sample Size by Disease Group

Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension represented the largest groups, but CKD had the highest PHQ-9 despite lower prevalence · suggesting disproportionate burden.

% Patients with PHQ-9 ≥ 10 (Moderate+) by Disease

Across all groups, depression screening rates during clinical visits were below 20% · highlighting a systemic gap in integrated mental health care.