title: Gender-specific differences in depression and anxiety symptoms and help-seeking behavior among gastroenterology patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the gender-specific difference in the prevalence of depression and anxiety and the help-seeking behavior among gastroenterology outpatients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was carried out in gastroenterology clinics in 4 hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between February and September 2013. A self-administrated questionnaire was developed and administered to patients. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaires were used to identify depression and anxiety.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 438 patients completed the study questionnaire; 135 (31%) females, and 303 (69%) males. Compared with males, females had more depression symptoms (44% versus 32%, p=0.012), anxiety symptoms (34% versus 24%, p=0.036), anxiety-associated difficulty (65% versus 52%, p=0.012), but similar suicidal thoughts (14% versus 11%, p=0.347). Females had similar gastrointestinal complaints but longer duration of symptoms. In both females and males, the most common first interventions were using medications (63% versus 69%), and undergoing endoscopy (19% versus 15%), while very few patients initially used herbs or Islamic incantation `Roquia` (7% versus 8%). Compared with males, females were more likely to subsequently seek help at private clinics (23% versus 14%, p=0.014), or with a Quran therapist (11% versus 5%, p=0.012).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are clear gender-specific differences in depression and anxiety symptoms and associated perceived difficulty, but modest differences in help-seeking behavior. Female patients at the gastroenterology clinic may deserve more psychological attention to diagnose depression and anxiety and to alleviate their impact.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Department #55, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, PO Box 7805, Riyadh 11472, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel. +966 (11) 4671226. Fax. +966 (11) 4672571. E-mail: dr.fahad.alosaimi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Fahad D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Alosaimi
authors.forename: Omar A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Al-Sultan
authors.forename: Qusay A
authors.initials: QA
authors.lastname: Alghamdi
authors.forename: Ibrahim K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Almohaimeed
authors.forename: Sulaiman I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Alqannas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005762:Gastroenterology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult