[Prevalence, detection and prescribing behavior in depressive syndromes. A German federal family physician study].
This study examines the prevalence of depressive syndromes among unselected primary care patients as well as doctors' recognition and treatment rates. This nationwide study included a total of 20,421 patients attending their primary care doctors (n = 633) on the study's target day. Patients received a self-report questionnaire including the depression screening questionnaire (DSQ) to provide diagnoses of depressive disorders according to the criteria of DSM-IV and ICD-10. These data were compared to the doctor's evaluation form for each patient to assess the physician's diagnostic decision, assessment of clinical severity, and treatment choices. The findings confirm the high prevalence of depressive syndromes in primary care settings (11.3%) and underline the particular challenge posed by a high proportion of patients near the diagnosis threshold. Although recognition rates among more severe major depressive patients (59%) as well as treatments prescribed appear to be more favourable than in previous studies, the situation in less severe cases and the high proportion of doctors' definite depression diagnoses in patients who do not fulfill the diagnostic criteria still raise significant concerns.
Jacobi
F
F
TU Dresden, Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Chemnitzer Strasse 46, 01187 Dresden. jacobi@psy1.psych.tu-dresden.de
Höfler
M
M
Meister
W
W
Wittchen
H U
HU
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
D000928:Antidepressive Agents