Prevalence of common mental disorders in general practice attendees across Europe.
BACKGROUND
There is evidence that the prevalence of common mental disorders varies across Europe.


OBJECTIVE
To compare prevalence of common mental disorders in general practice attendees in six European countries.


METHODS
Unselected attendees to general practices in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, Estonia and The Netherlands were assessed for major depression, panic syndrome and other anxiety syndrome. Prevalence of DSM-IV major depression, other anxiety syndrome and panic syndrome was compared between the UK and other countries after taking account of differences in demographic factors and practice consultation rates.


RESULTS
Prevalence was estimated in 2,344 men and 4,865 women. The highest prevalence for all disorders occurred in the UK and Spain, and lowest in Slovenia and The Netherlands. Men aged 30-50 and women aged 18-30 had the highest prevalence of major depression; men aged 40-60 had the highest prevalence of anxiety, and men and women aged 40-50 had the highest prevalence of panic syndrome. Demographic factors accounted for the variance between the UK and Spain but otherwise had little impact on the significance of observed country differences.


CONCLUSIONS
These results add to the evidence for real differences between European countries in prevalence of psychological disorders and show that the burden of care on general practitioners varies markedly between countries.
King
Michael
M
Department of Mental Health Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK. m.king@medsch.ucl.ac.uk
Nazareth
Irwin
I
Levy
Gus
G
Walker
Carl
C
Morris
Richard
R
Weich
Scott
S
Bellón-Saameño
Juan Angel
JA
Moreno
Berta
B
Svab
Igor
I
Rotar
Danica
D
Rifel
J
J
Maaroos
Heidi-Ingrid
HI
Aluoja
Anu
A
Kalda
Ruth
R
Neeleman
Jan
J
Geerlings
Mirjam I
MI
Xavier
Miguel
M
de Almeida
Manuel Caldas
MC
Correa
Bernardo
B
Torres-Gonzalez
Francisco
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003710:Demography; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data