title: Problems in using the hospital anxiety and depression scale for screening patients in general practice.
abstract: A study was made of the feasibility of screening general practice patients for anxiety and depression using the hospital anxiety and depression scale. A group of consecutive patients aged 18 years and over completed the questionnaire at the surgery and an age and sex matched sample were sent questionnaires by post; 94 patients (84%) returned the postal questionnaire. A further group of 170 consecutive patients coming for consultation were recruited. Using a threshold score of eight and over, 51% of patients screened by post were probable 'cases' of psychiatric disorder and using a score of 11 and over, 28% were 'cases'. These proportions were similar for patients screened when attending the surgery. The findings are discussed in the context of well-person screening, and a strategy for follow-up of probable cases is put forward.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, University of Leeds.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Dowell
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Biran
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005194:Family Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales