Mental health in primary care. An epidemiological study of morbidity and use of health resources.
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.
Vázquez-Barquero
J L
JL
Clinical and Social Psychiatry Research Unit, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.
García
J
J
Simón
J A
JA
Iglesias
C
C
Montejo
J
J
Herrán
A
A
Dunn
G
G
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