CPDI: COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index

24-item measure of peritraumatic distress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. ≈ 5 min to complete. Free with attribution.

covid-19 24 items ≈ 5 min Updated 2026-05-06

Score CPDI below → Download printable PDF View source paper (DOI)
What is CPDI? CPDI (COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index) is a validated instrument used to assess 24-item measure of peritraumatic distress related to the covid-19 pandemic.. It is used in 24-item measure of peritraumatic distress related to the covid-19 pandemic.. It comprises 24 items. Administration takes about 5 min.

What is CPDI?

CPDI (COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index) is a validated clinical instrument used to assess 24-item measure of peritraumatic distress related to the covid-19 pandemic.. It is most often used for 24-item measure of peritraumatic distress related to the covid-19 pandemic.. The instrument contains 24 items. Typical administration time is ≈ 5 min.

Source / attribution: Free to use with citation

Clinical context: when CPDI is used

24-item measure of peritraumatic distress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. CPDI is part of standard practice in this setting because it provides a structured, replicable assessment that can be tracked over time and compared across patients or visits.

Like all screening or assessment instruments, CPDI is a structured aid — not a diagnostic test in isolation. Results should be interpreted alongside history, examination, and clinical context. Where a score crosses an actionable threshold, the next step is typically a more detailed clinical evaluation rather than a definitive diagnosis.

Score CPDI

Answer all 24 items below to see your CPDI score and interpretation.

Each item is scored on a 5-point scale (0–4). Your score updates live as you answer.

All scoring runs in your browser. No data is sent anywhere — close the tab and the answers are gone.

How CPDI is scored

Sum all 24 items scored 0-3. Total range 0-72. Score >= 28 suggests significant distress.

Scoring notes: Sum all 24 items scored 0-3. Total range 0-72. Score >= 28 suggests significant distress.

CPDI score interpretation

The cutoffs below are drawn from the published validation literature. Always interpret in clinical context.

Score rangeBandInterpretation
0–27NormalNone
28–72Significant distressConsider support

How to score CPDI: a step-by-step worked example

This is an illustrative walkthrough, not a real patient. Follow the same four steps with your own answers — or use the live calculator at the top of this page.

Step 1 — Score each item

Read each question and choose the response that best fits. Each response has a number next to it — that number is the item's score. The example below uses illustrative answers.

#ItemExample responseScore
1Compared to usual, I feel more nervous and anxiousSometimes2
2I feel insecure and bought lots of masks, medications, sanitizer, gloves and/or other home suppliesSometimes2
3I can't stop myself from imagining myself or my family being infected and feel terrifiedSometimes2
4I feel empty and helpless no matter what I doSometimes2
5I feel sympathetic toward COVID-19 patients and their familiesSometimes2
6I feel helpless and angry toward people around meSometimes2
7I have lost confidence in the people around meSometimes2
8I collect information about COVID-19 all day longSometimes2
9I will believe theستونe information only from official sourcesSometimes2
10I am willing to follow the advice of doctors and expertsSometimes2
11I would rather be alone and not share my concernsSometimes2
12I feel more distant from family and friends than usualSometimes2
13I can't understand why people around me are not more worriedSometimes2
14I feel tired and sometimes even exhaustedSometimes2
15Due to feelings of anxiety, my reactions are becoming sluggishSometimes2
16I find it hard to concentrateSometimes2
17I find it hard to make any decisionsSometimes2
18During COVID-19, I often feel dizzy or have back pain, chest tightness or gastrointestinal discomfortSometimes2
19During COVID-19, I need to be reminded to eat or do other daily routinesSometimes2
20Social distancing makes me feel uncomfortableSometimes2
21I avoid listening to COVID-19 news because it makes me too uncomfortableSometimes2
22I have difficulty falling and staying asleepOften3
23I feel angry and often complain or argueSometimes2
24I lose my temper easily and frequently quarrel with my familyOften3

Step 2 — Add up the scores

Add up all the item scores you noted in Step 1.

2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + … (items 9–24 sum to 34) = 50

Step 3 — Look up the band

Find the row in the interpretation table whose range contains your total:

Total = 50 falls between 28 and 72Significant distress

Step 4 — What does this mean clinically?

Significant distress. Consider support

A score is one input alongside history and examination. CPDI supports clinical judgment — it does not replace it.

Score CPDI with your own answers above →

CPDI psychometric properties

Psychometric figures are drawn from the validation literature and may vary across clinical populations and translations.

Limitations & common pitfalls

How CPDI compares to other covid-19 scales

If CPDI doesn't fit your context, related instruments in covid-19 include:

ScaleMeasuresItemsTime
FCV-19S7-item scale measuring fear of coronavirus-19 during the pandemic.7≈ 2 min
PHQ-9Severity of depression9≈ 3 minutes
GAD-7Severity of generalized anxiety7≈ 2 minutes
AUDIT10-item WHO screening tool for hazardous alcohol consumption and dependence.10≈ 3 min
CHA2DS2-VAScAnnual stroke risk in non-valvular atrial fibrillation8
Glasgow Coma ScaleLevel of consciousness after head injury3
MELD-Na3-month mortality in advanced liver disease; transplant prioritization5

Frequently asked questions about CPDI

What does CPDI measure?

CPDI (COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index) is a validated instrument that assesses 24-item measure of peritraumatic distress related to the covid-19 pandemic.. Its primary clinical use is 24-item measure of peritraumatic distress related to the covid-19 pandemic..

How long does CPDI take to complete?

CPDI typically takes ≈ 5 min to administer. Time can vary slightly depending on whether it is self-administered or clinician-led.

How many items are on CPDI?

CPDI contains 24 items. Items are summed to produce a total score.

What is a high CPDI score?

Scores of 28–72 fall in the "Significant distress" band. Consider support

What is a low CPDI score?

Scores of 0–27 fall in the "Normal" band. None

How reliable is CPDI?

CPDI has reported Cronbach's α of 0.91 in validation samples and test–retest reliability of 0.88. Validated during early COVID-19 outbreak in China.

Is CPDI free to use?

CPDI is free to use with attribution. Free to use with citation

What is the source paper for CPDI?

Qiu, J., Shen, B., Zhao, M., Wang, Z., Xie, B., & Xu, Y. (2020). A nationwide survey of psychological distress among Chinese people in the COVID-19 epidemic. Lancet Psychiatry, 7(4), e19-e20.

Can CPDI replace clinical judgment?

No. CPDI is a structured assessment aid. A score is one input alongside history, examination, and clinical context. Treatment decisions should never rest on a screening score alone.

References & validation

CPDI is supported by the following peer-reviewed sources: