title: Sub-syndromal depression in adolescents attending primary care: frequency, clinical features and 6 months outcome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The nature of adolescent sub-syndromal depression has not been investigated in primary care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To document frequency, characteristics and 6 month outcome of sub-syndromal depression amongst adolescent primary care attenders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary care attenders (13-18 years) completed depression screening questionnaires (Mood and Feelings Questionnaires) at consultation and at 6 month follow-up. Those screening positive were interviewed with the K-SADS. Sub-syndromal depression was defined as high levels of depressive symptoms in the absence of depressive disorder.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and seventy four questionnaires were completed at consultation: the estimated rate of sub-syndromal depression was 25 %. These young people were clinically intermediary between those without depressive symptoms and those with depressive disorder; at 6-months follow-up 57 % had persistent depressive symptoms and 12 % had developed a depressive disorder. Negative life events during the follow-up period and a positive family history of depression were the strongest predictors of symptom persistence and the development of depressive disorder, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sub-syndromal depression is common and persistent, in adolescent primary care attenders and it deserves attention.
authors.affiliation: The Academic Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Imperial Collage London (St Mary's Campus), Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PGUK, UK. j.gledhill@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gledhill
authors.forename: M Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Garralda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D017050:Episode of Care; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008016:Life Change Events; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires