The screening and treatment of undiagnosed depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a general practice.
OBJECTIVE
To screen for, and to treat, depression in COPD patients in a general practice surgery, and to test the feasibility of the screening method.


METHODS
We sent The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Short-Form Questionnaire to all patients on the COPD register (n=69) by post, excluding those already diagnosed with depression (n=3). We sent appointments to all responders with moderate to severe depression and offered them treatment including antidepressants and pulmonary rehabilitation if the diagnosis was confirmed.


RESULTS
Of the 66 patients to whom we sent questionnaires, 43 were returned completed and 13 of these had significant depression (30%). 10 of these patients were contactable and attended for review. The diagnosis of depression was confirmed in all 10 cases. Treatment options were discussed; five chose antidepressant medication, three chose pulmonary rehabilitation and two declined treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
We identified and treated a significant number of depressed COPD patients in a general practice setting using this screening method. This method could have wider applications for screening, although further trials are needed.
SHO in Psychiatry, St. Mary's Psychiatric Training Scheme, London W10 6DZ. kamranahmed_786@hotmail.com
Kamran
K
Ahmed
Ashok
A
Kelshiker
Christopher
C
Jenner
D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011177:Postal Service; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*