Prevalence of mental disorders in primary care: results from the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders in primary care study (DASMAP).
OBJECTIVE
Previous epidemiological studies have revealed a high prevalence of mental disorders among primary care (PC) patients. However, most studies have methodological limitations (e.g. absence of structured clinical interviews, two-phase designs) that affect the generalizability of their results. The main objective of the present study was to estimate the lifetime and 12-month prevalence of mental disorders in the PC of Catalonia (Spain), using structured clinical interviews and a one-phase design.


METHODS
One-phase cross-sectional survey. A representative probability sample without replacement of individuals aged 18 years or older attending PC for a medical visit were interviewed between October 2005 and March 2006. The interviews included SCID-I for depressive and anxiety disorders and the MINI interview for other mental disorders. A total of 3,815 patients from 77 PC centres were included in the statistical analyses.


RESULTS
45.1% of respondents reported at least one lifetime mental disorder and 30.2% reported at least one mental disorder in the previous 12 months. The most common mental disorders were major depression (9.6%), panic disorder (7.0%), specific phobia (6.6%), and generalized anxiety disorder (3.8%). There was a high comorbidity between mood and anxiety disorders, as well as between mental disorders and some chronic physical conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high prevalence and comorbidity of mental disorders in the PC of Catalonia. Public health policies should reinforce the role of family physicians in the detection and treatment of persons with mental disorders.
Serrano-Blanco
Antoni
A
Research and Development Unit, Sant Joan de Déu - Serveis de Salut Mental, Red de Investigación en Actividades Preventivas y Promoción de la Salud en Atención Primaria, C/Doctor Antoni Pujadas 42, 08830, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. aserrano@sjd-ssm.com
Palao
Diego J
DJ
Luciano
Juan V
JV
Pinto-Meza
Alejandra
A
Luján
Leila
L
Fernández
Ana
A
Roura
Pere
P
Bertsch
Jordan
J
Mercader
Mercè
M
Haro
Josep M
JM
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires