Testing the French PHQ-4 and PC-PTSD-5 short mental health screens

Validation of the French Versions of the PHQ-4 Anxiety and Depression Scale and the PC-PTSD-5 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Screening Scale

Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris · NCT07396623

This project will test whether the French PHQ-4 and PC‑PTSD‑5 questionnaires work well to quickly screen for anxiety/depression and PTSD in French-speaking adults seen in hospital or outpatient care.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment90 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorAssistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (other)
Locations1 site (Bobigny)
Trial IDNCT07396623 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study will enroll about 90 French-speaking adults at Hôpital Avicenne to complete the PHQ-4 and PC‑PTSD‑5 alongside established gold-standard measures (PHQ‑9, GAD‑7, PCL‑5). Convergent validity will be examined using Pearson correlations between the short screens and their corresponding longer instruments, with comparisons across inclusion centers. Secondary analyses include exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), and test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation) in a subsample of at least 20 participants, plus descriptive statistics of sociodemographic and clinical variables. The target sample size (≈90) was chosen to exceed the 10-per-item rule for both scales while allowing for loss to follow-up and adequate statistical power.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older, fluent in French, who are outpatient or hospitalized for any reason and willing to participate are the intended participants.

Not a fit: People who cannot read or understand French well, are under legal protection, have significant cognitive or hearing impairments, or otherwise cannot complete questionnaires are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, clinicians will have brief, validated French tools to more easily detect anxiety, depression, and PTSD, enabling earlier care and referral.

How similar studies have performed: The PHQ‑4 and PC‑PTSD‑5 are well validated in English-language primary care populations, and translating/validating established screens into other languages is a common, generally successful approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 18 years,
* Outpatient or hospitalized for any health-related reason,
* Oral and written proficiency in French,
* Patient informed and willing to participate in the study,
* Patient with health insurance coverage

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals under legal protection measures (guardianship, conservatorship, or legal supervision),
* Other factors preventing obtaining non-opposition or conducting the research, such as: limited French proficiency, hearing impairment, or significant cognitive disorders

Where this trial is running

Bobigny

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Mental Illness, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Screening tool

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.