title: Detection, Management Approach of Depression and Antidepressant Utilization in Adult Patients: Results of a Cross-Sectional Survey.
abstract: The study was conducted to understand the demographics, prevalence of co-morbid conditions and treatment modalities of depression.
  
  
  
  A cross-sectional, nationwide observational study was conducted to understand the management pattern of depression in India. Depression was majorly diagnosed with DSM-IV TR criteria.
  
  
  
  The data of 2276 Indian patients across 18 states were collected through 135 mental health professionals. The study population was predominantly from urban (81.2%) area. The prevalence of uneducated and employed patients in the study was 7.2% and 54.6% respectively. The main co-morbidities observed were diabetes, hypertension, anxiety and insomnia. Overall, escitalopram monotherapy was used in 67.2% patients. Escitalopram was found to be the preferred antidepressant in patients with co-morbid conditions including hypertension and diabetes. Counseling was the most common non-pharmacological therapy practiced.
  
  
  
  This large cross sectional study in real life settings demonstrates high prevalence of depression among employed and educated adult Indian patients. Hypertension and diabetes are the two most common co-morbidites in patients with depression. Escitalopram is commonly used and preferred antidepressant in all studied age groups and even in co-morbid depression.
authors.affiliation: Medical Advisor.
authors.forename: Sanket
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Newale
authors.affiliation: Chief Manager- Medical Services, Abbott Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai, Maharashtra.
authors.forename: Deepak S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Bachani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents