Outcome MeasureDepression

QIDS-SR

Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology – Self-Report

49 Papers in Blossom

About This Instrument

The Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology – Self-Report (QIDS-SR) is a 16-item self-report measure derived from the 30-item Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS). Developed by A. John Rush and colleagues, it assesses the nine DSM-IV criterion symptom domains of major depression: sad mood, concentration, self-criticism, suicidal ideation, interest, energy/fatigue, sleep disturbance (four items), appetite/weight change (four items), and psychomotor changes (two items). Each domain contributes a score of 0–3, with total scores ranging from 0 to 27. The QIDS-SR is widely used as a secondary endpoint in psychedelic depression trials due to its brevity, strong correlation with clinician-rated scales (MADRS, HAM-D), and sensitivity to treatment change. It has good internal consistency (α ≈ 0.86) and is available in the public domain.

Clinical Thresholds

027
None
Score 0–5
Mild
Score 6–10
Moderate
Score 11–15
Severe
Score 16–20
Very severe
Score 21–27

Outcome Data Across Studies

Reported results for QIDS-SR across 35 studies with quantitative data.

Outcome data across 162 study arm–timepoint observations
SD
Antidepressant Efficacy of Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: A Two-Site Randomized Controlled Trial
2013Secondary
Ketamine(experimental)04716.64.1—
Antidepressant Efficacy of Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: A Two-Site Randomized Controlled Trial
2013Secondary
Midazolam(active_comparator)02516.34.5—
Antidepressant Efficacy of Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: A Two-Site Randomized Controlled Trial
2013Secondary
Ketamine(experimental)1478.4—0.020
Antidepressant Efficacy of Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: A Two-Site Randomized Controlled Trial
2013Secondary
Midazolam(active_comparator)12511.8—0.020
Nitrous Oxide for Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: a Proof-of-Concept Trial
2015Secondary
Nitrous oxide vs placebo(experimental)02019.06.3—
Nitrous Oxide for Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: a Proof-of-Concept Trial
2015Secondary
Nitrous oxide vs placebo(experimental)12015.8——
Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study
2016Primary
Psilocybin(experimental)01219.22.0—
Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study
2016Primary
Psilocybin(experimental)7127.44.9—
Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study
2016Primary
Psilocybin(experimental)14126.34.6—
Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study
2016Primary
Psilocybin(experimental)21126.45.1—

Papers Using QIDS-SR

Paywallindividual

Protocol and pilot results for a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial of ketamine under propofol sedation for chronic pain and depression

This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial protocol and pilot study (n=42) is testing ketamine 0.5 mg/kg given under propofol sedation for chronic pain with depression, with pain as the main outcome. In six pilot participants, there were no serious adverse events and propofol seemed to help mask treatment allocation, although many still guessed ketamine immediately after sedation.

Published
Journal
Pain Management
Authors
Lii, T. R., Sikka, P., Deverett, B., Altirkawi, O. K., Heifets, B. D.
Paywallindividual

A phase 2 uncontrolled, open-label study of intranasal BPL-003 (5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) in patients with treatment-resistant depression

This 12‑week, open‑label Phase IIa trial of a single 10 mg intranasal dose of 5‑MeO-DMT (BPL‑003) in patients (n=12) with treatment‑resistant major depressive disorder, found that the drug was generally well tolerated with mostly mild–moderate adverse events and rapid discharge readiness (median ~98 minutes). A rapid and sustained mean MADRS reduction of 12–13 points was observed from Day 2 through Day 85, with most participants meeting response criteria and several achieving remission, supporting further evaluation in larger controlled trials.

Published
Journal
Journal of Psychopharmacology
Authors
Roberts, C., Seynaeve, M., Ermakova, A. O., Dunbar, F., Wells, H., Puri, A., Bird, C., Rucker, J. J.
Paywallindividual

Long-term outcomes of single-dose psilocybin for U.S. military Veterans with severe treatment-resistant depression - 12-month data from an open-label pilot study

This open-label follow-up study (n=10) of Veterans with severe treatment-resistant depression (TRD) found that a single dose of psilocybin (25mg) significantly reduced depression for up to 12 months, though effects began to wane after 6 months, with 40% maintaining response and 30% maintaining remission at the 12-month follow-up.

Published
Journal
Journal of Affective Disorders
Authors
Ellis, S., Bostian, C., Donnelly, A., Feng, W., Eisen, K., Lean, M., Conlan, E., Ostacher, M., Aaronson, S., Suppes, T.
Open Accessindividual

Psilocybin with psychotherapeutic support for treatment-resistant depression: a pilot clinical trial

An open‑label pilot trial of two 25 mg psilocybin sessions with preparatory and integration psychotherapy for treatment‑resistant depression produced a clinically meaningful reduction in self‑rated depressive symptoms at three weeks (Hedges’ g = −1.27) that was maintained at 20 weeks, although individual responses varied (two sustained responders, three relapses, two non‑responders). Exploratory analyses linked pre‑dosing mindset, spiritual experiences and perceptual shifts to outcome trajectories, with adverse events consistent with prior studies and no serious adverse events.

Published
Journal
Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology
Authors
Meikle, S., Carter, O., Liknaitzky, P., Johansen, L., Iyer, R., Strauss, N., Williams, M., Castle, D., Rossell, S. L., Ids, O.
Open Accessindividual

Psilocybin-Assisted Group Psychotherapy + Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Frontline Healthcare Provider COVID-19 Related Depression and Burnout: A Randomized Clinical Trial

This randomised controlled trial in 25 frontline physicians and nurses found that adding group psilocybin‑assisted psychotherapy (25 mg) to an 8‑week MBSR curriculum produced larger reductions in depressive symptoms at two weeks and greater improvements on burnout subscales, demoralisation and connectedness than MBSR alone. The intervention was well tolerated (only grade 1–2 adverse events, no serious AEs), suggesting that combining psilocybin with mindfulness training may be a promising treatment for COVID‑19‑related depression and burnout in healthcare providers.

Published
Journal
PLOS Medicine
Authors
Lewis, B. R., Hendrick, J., Byrne, K., Msph, M. O., Wu, C., Garland, E. L.
Paywallindividual

Efficacy and safety of esketamine for smoking cessation among patients diagnosed with lung cancer and major depression disorder: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial

This multicenter, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial (n=236) investigates the efficacy and safety of esketamine (ESK) (8x35mg) for smoking cessation in patients with lung cancer and major depressive disorder (MDD). Eight weekly intranasal ESK sessions significantly improved both self-reported (44.1%) and biologically verified (28.8%) smoking abstinence at 6-month follow-up, alongside reductions in depression, anxiety, nicotine dependence, and respiratory symptoms.

Published
Journal
Journal of Affective Disorders
Authors
Hong, C. J.

Quick Facts

Full Name
Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology – Self-Report
Domain
Depression
Papers Indexed
49
Score Range
0–27
Interpretation
Lower = better
Unit
points
Reference
Visit
All Measures