[Prevalence, expression and impact of depressive disorders in primary care].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and forms of clinical expression of depressive disorders in primary care patients. To analyse the under-detection of depression by primary care doctors.


METHODS
Descriptive and transversal study, with two-stage sampling. Setting. Primary care consultations in the Camp de Tarragona area.


METHODS
1000 consecutive patients visiting their doctor for any reason will make up the first-stage sample. Of these 350 go on to the second stage (all the positive results in the screening for depression test plus a random one-seventh of the negative results).


METHODS
The first stage will consist of the screening of the sample for depressive disorders with Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale. In the sub-sample that will go on to the second stage, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Disorders will be used to establish diagnoses of depressive disorders and other co-morbid psychiatric disorders. There will also be a range of specific questionnaires to find reasons for consultation and the form of presentation of an eventual depressive disorder, medical co-morbidity, medication taken, use of health services, the functional and vital repercussions of depression. A questionnaire for the patient's G.P. will assess and detect depression.


CONCLUSIONS
The study will enable us to check the validity for our patients of pre-suppositions on depression in primary care obtained from studies in other countries with different health structures and social and cultural conditioners, and to find diverse information extrapolated from specialist studies.
Aragonès Benaiges
E
E
Centro de Atención Primaria de Constantí. Institut Català de la Salut. Constantí. Tarragona. España. earagones@saptarra.scs.es
Gutiérrez Pérez
M A
MA
Piñol Moreso
J L
JL
Mèlich Teruel
N
N
Folch Pujol
S
S
Labad Alquézar
A
A
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care