Cited by 352Mental Health Treatment and AccessPrimary Care and Health OutcomesAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

High prevalence of mental disorders in primary care

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Ansseau, M., Dierick, M., Buntinkx, F., Cnockaert, P., De Smedt, J., Van Den Haute, M., Vander Mijnsbrugge, D.·2004·Journal of Affective Disorders

Abstract

Objective To determine the prevalence of common mental disorders in an adult primary care population.Design Cross-sectional survey in randomly selected subjects, using the PRIME-MD questionnaire.Setting Eighty-six general practices in Belgium.Subjects A total of 2316 randomly selected patients, aged 18 years or older and consulting their general practitioner for other than administrative reasons alone, with slightly more women (58.1%) than men (41.3%). MAIN OUTCOME RESULT: Prevalence rates of mental disorders most commonly seen in primary care practice (mood, anxiety, somatoform, eating and alcohol disorders).Methods To facilitate data collection and processing, the entire PRIME-MD questionnaire was programmed on a handheld computer. Patient answers and physician assessments were immediately electronically recorded during the interview. All investigators were trained on the use of the PRIME-MD. The recruitment period lasted 6 weeks: from 15 February to 25 March 1999, and patients were randomly selected for the interview based on a computerized procedure.Results Although only 5.4% of all patients consulted for a psychiatric reason, a threshold/subthreshold psychiatric disorder was detected in 42.5% of all patients. Most commonly detected disorders were mood disorders in 31.0% (major depressive disorder, 13.9% and dysthymia, 12.6%), anxiety disorders in 19.0% (generalized anxiety disorder, 10.3%), somatoform disorders in 18.0% and probable alcohol abuse/dependence in 10.1%. The results also showed the important rate of comorbidity between these disorders.Conclusion The present study confirms the high prevalence of mental disorders in a general practice setting, and their frequent association. Prevalence rates of our study are even higher than those obtained in previously conducted trials. Our study also demonstrates the utility of the PRIME-MD as a screening tool for mental disorders in primary care. In addition the use of the handheld computer software version of the PRIME-MD allowed us to screen for mental disorders in patients who are unable to attend the GP office and are seen during 'home' visits.

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Authors
Ansseau, M., Dierick, M., Buntinkx, F., Cnockaert, P., De Smedt, J., Van Den Haute, M., & Vander Mijnsbrugge, D.
Affiliations
  • University of Liège (BE)
  • Ghent University (BE)
  • Université Libre de Bruxelles (BE)
Corresponding author
Ansseau, M.
Venue
Journal of Affective Disorders
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2004-01
Volume
78
Issue
1
Pages
49-55
ISSN
0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2156494550
Cited by
352
References
13
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 18
FWCI
6.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Dépôt institutionnel de l'Université libre de Bruxelles (Université Libre de Bruxelles) (submittedVersion)
  • ORBi (University of Liège) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • DIAL (Catholic University of Leuven) (submittedVersion)
  • Revista cubana de medicina general integral
Funders
Pfizer
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Primary Care and Health Outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
mental illness, prevalence, primary care, mood disorders, major depressive disorder, dysthymia, anxiety disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, somatoform disorders, eating disorders, alcohol abuse, alcoholism, comorbidities, mental disorder screening, personal digital assistants, home visits
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Mental Disorders, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Primary Health Care, Surveys and Questionnaires, Prevalence

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