Question 1

What GAD-7 score should trigger further evaluation, and how reliable is this screener?

Accepted Answer

A GAD-7 score of 10 yields 89% sensitivity and 82% specificity for GAD. Some primary care frameworks use a cutoff of 8 to prioritize sensitivity. The GAD-2 (first two items, score ≥3) serves as an ultra-brief pre-screener with 86% sensitivity and 83% specificity. The GAD-7 also detects other anxiety disorders: 74% sensitivity for panic, 72% for social anxiety. A 4-point change is the minimal clinically important difference for tracking treatment response.

Question 2

What's the sensitivity and specificity of the GAD-7 at different cutoffs?

Accepted Answer

A GAD-7 score of 10 yields 89% sensitivity and 82% specificity for GAD. Some primary care frameworks use a cutoff of 8 to prioritize sensitivity. The GAD-2 (first two items, score ≥3) serves as an ultra-brief pre-screener with 86% sensitivity and 83% specificity. The GAD-7 also detects other anxiety disorders: 74% sensitivity for panic, 72% for social anxiety. A 4-point change is the minimal clinically important difference for tracking treatment response.

Question 3

Should I use a cutoff of 8 or 10 for screening vs diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

A GAD-7 score of 10 yields 89% sensitivity and 82% specificity for GAD. Some primary care frameworks use a cutoff of 8 to prioritize sensitivity. The GAD-2 (first two items, score ≥3) serves as an ultra-brief pre-screener with 86% sensitivity and 83% specificity. The GAD-7 also detects other anxiety disorders: 74% sensitivity for panic, 72% for social anxiety. A 4-point change is the minimal clinically important difference for tracking treatment response.

Question 4

How does the GAD-7 compare to the DASS-21 in primary care?

Accepted Answer

A GAD-7 score of 10 yields 89% sensitivity and 82% specificity for GAD. Some primary care frameworks use a cutoff of 8 to prioritize sensitivity. The GAD-2 (first two items, score ≥3) serves as an ultra-brief pre-screener with 86% sensitivity and 83% specificity. The GAD-7 also detects other anxiety disorders: 74% sensitivity for panic, 72% for social anxiety. A 4-point change is the minimal clinically important difference for tracking treatment response.

Question 5

Can a normal GAD-7 reliably rule out an anxiety disorder?

Accepted Answer

A GAD-7 score of 10 yields 89% sensitivity and 82% specificity for GAD. Some primary care frameworks use a cutoff of 8 to prioritize sensitivity. The GAD-2 (first two items, score ≥3) serves as an ultra-brief pre-screener with 86% sensitivity and 83% specificity. The GAD-7 also detects other anxiety disorders: 74% sensitivity for panic, 72% for social anxiety. A 4-point change is the minimal clinically important difference for tracking treatment response.

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GAD-7 Screening: Cutoffs, Sensitivity, and Clinical Interpretation