Outcome MeasureDepression

QIDS-SR

Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology – Self-Report

18 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 2 studies with quantitative data.

Outcome data across 4 study arm–timepoint observations
SD
A Bayesian Reanalysis of a Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression
2023Primary
Psilocybin + placebo(experimental)42—2.0Δ——
A Bayesian Reanalysis of a Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression
2023Primary
Psilocybin + escitalopram(active_comparator)42——Δ——
A phase 2 uncontrolled, open-label study of intranasal BPL-003 (5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) in patients with treatment-resistant depression
2026Secondary
Low dose(experimental)-3—14.1——
A phase 2 uncontrolled, open-label study of intranasal BPL-003 (5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) in patients with treatment-resistant depression
2026Secondary
Low dose(experimental)8—7.0——

Papers Using QIDS-SR

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.
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

An open-label, dose-escalation trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy for bipolar 2 depression

In an open-label, single-arm dose-escalation pilot (n=14) of psilocybin-assisted therapy for bipolar II depression, psilocybin (10 mg, with 25 mg if needed) was generally well tolerated and produced significant, sustained reductions in depressive symptoms and improved quality of life up to 90 days, with adverse events (including transient anxiety, nausea, headache and three notable psychiatric events) broadly comparable to other psilocybin studies. The authors conclude that randomised, placebo-controlled trials are needed to confirm efficacy and refine dosing protocols in this vulnerable population.

Published
Journal
OSF Preprints
Authors
Downey, A. E., Szigeti, B., Bradley, E. R., Fernandes-Osterhold, G., Sakai, K., Llerena, K., Nerayo, J., Fredenburg, L., Nielsen, B., Krystal, A. D., O'donovan, A., Gard, D. E., Woolley, J. D.
Open Accessindividual

Comparing Antidepressant Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy in Individuals That Were Unmedicated at Initial Screening Versus Individuals Discontinuing Medications for Study Participation

In an open‑label trial of 27 treatment‑resistant depression patients given a single 25 mg psilocybin dose with psychotherapy, those who had discontinued antidepressants before treatment showed comparable reductions in clinician‑rated and self‑reported depression, anxiety and suicidality to patients unmedicated at screening. Both groups experienced clinically significant improvements and similar intensity of psychedelic experience, suggesting medication tapering did not alter short‑term antidepressant effects in this sample.

Published
Journal
Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
Authors
Chisamore, N., Kaczmarek, E. S., Doyle, Z., Johnson, D. E., Weiglein, G., Meshkat, S., Brudner, R. M., Blainey, M. G., Riva-Cambrin, J., Mcintyre, R. S., Rosenblat, J. D.
Open Accessindividual

Single-Dose Psilocybin for Depression With Severe Treatment Resistance: An Open-Label Trial

This open-label trial (n=12) conducted at Sheppard Pratt Hospital finds that psilocybin (25mg) significantly decreases depressive symptoms in patients with severe treatment-resistant depression (TRD) at 3 weeks (MADRS −15.8) and 12 weeks (MADRS −17.2) post-treatment. Exploratory analyses suggest the Oceanic Boundlessness dimension correlates with antidepressant responses, while patients with comorbid PTSD show reduced antidepressant effects.

Published
Journal
American Journal of Psychiatry
Authors
Aaronson, S. T., Van Der Vaart, A., Miller, T., Lapratt, J., Swartz, K., Shoultz, A., Lauterbach, M., Suppes, T., Sackeim, H. A.
Open Accessindividual

Effect of psilocybin versus escitalopram on depression symptom severity in patients with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder: observational 6-month follow-up of a phase 2, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial

This 6-month follow-up of a Phase II, double-blind, randomised controlled trial (n=59) finds sustained improvements in depressive symptoms for both psilocybin therapy (PT) and escitalopram treatment (ET) for moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder (MDD). PT shows greater improvements in psychosocial functioning, meaning in life, and psychological connectedness compared to ET at the 6-month follow-up.

Published
Journal
EClinicalMedicine
Authors
Erritzoe, D., Barba, T., Greenway, K. T., Murphy-Beiner, A., Murphy, R., Martell, J., Giribaldi, B., Timmermann, C., Baker-Jones, M., Nutt, D. J., Weiss, B., Carhart-Harris, R. L.

Quick Facts

Full Name
Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology – Self-Report
Domain
Depression
Papers Indexed
18
Score Range
0–27
Interpretation
Lower = better
Unit
points
Reference
Visit
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