title: Mental health in primary care. An epidemiological study of morbidity and use of health resources.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The main objectives of the survey were: (a) to analyse the sociological, clinical and illness-related correlates of mental illness in primary care; (b) to study, during one-year follow-up, outcome and use of health resources.
  
  
  METHODS
  The survey comprised a two-phase cross-sectional study. In the first phase patients were classified using the GHQ-28 or by the general practitioner (GP). In the second phase they were assessed by the SCAN system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence rate of mental illness (in attenders) using the GHQ was 33.2%. The corresponding rate for the GP was 14.1%, and for the SCAN 31.5%. Mental illness mainly comprised depression, anxiety and alcohol-related diagnoses. The presence of mental illness and the use of health resources during follow-up were dependent on demographic characteristics and on their original psychiatric status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In primary care, mental illness constitutes a major health problem. Despite this fact, GPs do not recognise a substantial proportion of these health problems.
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Social Psychiatry Research Unit, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Vázquez-Barquero
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Simón
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Iglesias
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Montejo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Herrán
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dunn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology