Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text Freely available
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow E-letters: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when E-letters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (10)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Berardi, D.
Right arrow Articles by Ferrari, G.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Berardi, D.
Right arrow Articles by Ferrari, G.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Family Practice Vol. 19, No. 4, 397-400
© Oxford University Press 2002

Depression in primary care. A nationwide epidemiological survey

Domenico Berardi, Giuseppe Leggieria, Giuseppe Berti Ceronib, Paola Ruccic, Antonio Pezzolid, Elisabetta Paltrinierie, Natalia Grazianf and Giuseppe Ferrari

Institute of Psychiatry, Bologna University,
a Italian Society of General Practitioners,
b Villa Baruzziana Clinic,
e Mental Health Department, Local Health Unit, Bologna,
d Mental Health Department, Local Health Unit, Bologna Sud,
f Niguarda Hospital, Milano, Italy and
c Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Professor Domenico Berardi, Istituto di Psichiatria, Viale Pepoli, 5, 40123 Bologna, Italy; E-mail: dberardi{at}alma.unibo.it

Background. Most epidemiological studies on depression in primary care are conducted at single sites, and variations in reported prevalence may depend on characteristics of health care services and other local factors.

Objectives. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of depression in primary care in Italy and its association with physical illness, disability and health care utilization.

Methods. This nationwide epidemiological study involved 191 primary care physicians (PCPs) who assessed during one index week 1896 patients aged 14 and over attending their clinics. Screening was conducted by using the General Health Questionnaire-12. Probable cases were assessed by PCPs with the WHO ICD-10 Checklist for Depression and rated for severity of physical illness.

Results. The prevalence of current depression ranged between 7.8 and 9.0% in the three main Italian areas, with no significant variations. A linear increase from North to South was observed for psychological distress, disability and frequency of medical consultation. Depression was associated with severe, but not with mild or moderate physical illness. Depression was also associated with disability and accounted for an increased rate of consultation.

Conclusion. Because of the disability associated with depression and of its impact on health care utilization, guidelines and intervention strategies are needed.

Keywords. Depression, disability, health service utilization, primary health care, physical co-morbidity.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Fam PractHome page
A. Kapmeyer, C. Meyer, M. M Kochen, and W. Himmel
Doctors' strategies in prescribing drugs: the case of mood-modifying medicines
Fam. Pract., February 1, 2006; 23(1): 73 - 79.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Obstet GynecolHome page
H. A. Bennett, A. Einarson, A. Taddio, G. Koren, and T. R. Einarson
Prevalence of Depression During Pregnancy: Systematic Review
Obstet. Gynecol., April 1, 2004; 103(4): 698 - 709.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.