Impact of demographic factors on recognition of persons with depression and anxiety in primary care in Slovenia

• Main Authors: King Michael, Pavlič Danica, Šter Marija, Švab Igor, Rifel Janez, Nazareth Irwin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2008-12-01
• Series: BMC Psychiatry
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/8/96

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Research has repeatedly shown that family physicians fail to diagnose up to 70% of patients with common mental disorders. Objective of the study is to investigate associations between persons' gender, age and educational level and detection of depression and anxiety by their family physicians.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We compared the results of two independent observational studies that were performed at the same time on a representative sample of family medicine practice attendees in Slovenia. 10710 patients participated in Slovenian Cross-sectional survey and 1118 patients participated in a first round of a cohort study (PREDICT-D study). Logistic regression was used to examine the effects of age, gender and educational level on detection of depression and anxiety.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of major depression and Other Anxiety Syndrome (OAS) amongst family practice attendees was low. The prevalence of Panic Syndrome (PS) was comparable to rates reported in the literature. A statistical model with merged data from both studies showed that it was over 15 times more likely for patients with ICD-10 criteria depression to be detected in PREDICT-D study as in SCS survey. In PREDICT-D study it was more likely for people with higher education to be diagnosed with ICD-10 criteria depression than in SCS survey.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>People with higher levels of education should probably be interviewed in a more standardized way to be recognised as having depression by Slovenian family physicians. This finding requires further validation.</p>