The role of rating scales in the identification and management of the depressed patient in the primary care setting.
The author conducted a review of the literature for reported prevalence of depression in primary care settings. Studies that provided data on both standardized interview and self-ratings were included. Reported prevalences from six studies ranged from 6% to 17%. Based on the results of 904 questionnaires administered at continuing medical education meetings held in 11 cities across the United States, primary care physicians estimated that 14% of their patients have a component of depression. To evaluate the usefulness of patient self-rating depression scales in the family practice setting, studies were reviewed where the patients' physicians were either notified or not notified of the results of a screening in which the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale was used. In six published studies, results showed that notified physicians were able to increase their ability to recognize depression by 2.5-fold to 25-fold.
Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
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D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010821:Physicians, Family; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales