Major depression in primary care practice. Clinical characteristics and treatment implications.
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.
Schulberg
H C
HC
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, West Penn Hospital.
Madonia
M J
MJ
Block
M R
MR
Coulehan
J L
JL
Scott
C P
CP
Rodriguez
E
E
Black
A
A
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
D009661:Nortriptyline