title: Major depression in primary care practice. Clinical characteristics and treatment implications.
abstract: Major depression is thought to be underdiagnosed and undertreated in primary medical care facilities. The authors conducted a clinical trial that included a three-phase assessment so only ambulatory medical patients judged eligible for treatment of this disorder in medical settings were recruited. In addition to administering the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale and the Diagnostic Interview Schedule's (DIS) Depression section, the psychiatrists evaluated the DIS-positive patients. This third assessment determined that clinical characteristics of DIS-positive patients were such that 70% of the patients could be treated for major depression in a primary care setting, 13% should probably be referred to a mental health facility, and 17% were experiencing conditions other than major depression.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, West Penn Hospital.
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Schulberg
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Madonia
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Block
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Coulehan
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Black
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009661:Nortriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011613:Psychotherapy
chemical_list: D009661:Nortriptyline