[Influence of morbidity and the use of health resources in patients who require care for generalised anxiety disorder in the primary health care setting].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the co-morbidity, health care use, economical impact, and availability of effective treatments used in generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) patients in a primary care setting (PCS).


METHODS
A retrospective multicentre population-based study.


METHODS
Five primary care clinics managed by Badalona Serveis Assistencials S.A., Barcelona, Spain.


METHODS
Outpatient records of patients over 18 years managed at 5 PCSs during 2006. Patients with and without GAD were compared. In GAD patients, 4 groups were established for comparison, according to pharmacological prescription.


METHODS
Main outcomes measures were general, reason/co-morbidity, health care use and primary care cost (visits, diagnostic/therapeutic tests, and drugs). We counted work absenteeism as an indirect cost. Pharmacological prescription was studied according to evidence-based recommendations and Spanish health-approved indications. The statistical analysis included a multivariate model: logistic regression, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), P< .05. RESULTS. Of the 65 767 patients included, 4.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.9-5.3) had GAD. Patients with/without GAD, the average episode/year was 6.1 versus 4.7 and attendance/year 10.0 versus 7.6; P< .001. GAD was associated with women (odds ratio [OR], 1.8), dyslipidemia (OR, 1.2), smoking (OR, 1.4), depression (OR, 1.2), and cerebrovascular accident (OR, 1.6) (P< .02). The mean direct cost/year adjusted by age, gender and morbidity load was euro686 versus euro557 (P< .001). GAD was associated with higher directs costs. The recommended treatment was followed in 40.1% of total patients (95% CI, 38.4-41.8).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with GAD have greater co-morbidity and higher direct costs in PCS. Means designed to improve the recognition and treatment of these patients should be established in the PCS.
Sicras-Mainar
Antoni
A
Dirección de Planificación. Badalona Serveis Assistencials, S.A. Badalona. Barcelona. España. asicras@bsa.cat
Blanca-Tamayo
Milagrosa
M
Navarro-Artieda
Ruth
R
Pizarro-Paixa
Israel
I
Gómez-Lus Centelles
Susana
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D055815:Young Adult