Abstract
A postal survey of 222 patients receiving long-term antidepressants in a training general practice showed that the majority were GHQ-12 cases and 62% of respondents reported moderate or severe depressive symptoms on the BDI-13. Although these patients received significantly higher doses than those reporting few or no symptoms, only 40% were prescribed at least a therapeutic antidepressant dose. All patients reporting mild, moderate or severe depressive symptoms consulted their general practitioner significantly more frequently than those without symptoms and the content of these consultations suggested that the general practitioners were aware of these patients' psychological morbidity. Monitoring and appropriate management of patients receiving long-term antidepressants could lead to reduction in morbidity and consultation rate.
Highlights
A postal survey of 222 patients receiving long-term antidepressants in a training general practice showed that the majority were GHQ-12 cases and 62% of respondents reported moderate or severe depressive symptoms on the BDI-13
Moderate or severe depressive symptoms consulted their general practitioner significantly more frequently than those without symptoms and the content of these consultations suggested that the general practitioners were aware of these patients' psychological morbidity
Since its launch there has been a 33% increase in the antidepressant prescribing rate and an increase in the propor tion of patients receiving a therapeutic antide pressant dose in primary care. These changes are. almost entirely accounted for by a much greater increase in prescription for selec tive serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as compared to other antidepressants; of those patients prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant for depression, the likelihood of receiving a therapeutic dose has not been affected by the Defeat Depression Campaign (Donoghue et al, 1996)
Summary
A postal survey of 222 patients receiving long-term antidepressants in a training general practice showed that the majority were GHQ-12 cases and 62% of respondents reported moderate or severe depressive symptoms on the BDI-13. These patients received significantly higher doses than those reporting few or no symptoms, only 40% were prescribed at least a therapeutic antidepressant dose. Since its launch there has been a 33% increase in the antidepressant prescribing rate and an increase in the propor tion of patients receiving a therapeutic antide pressant dose in primary care. An analysis is made of consultation rates to clarify whether the burden on the general practitioner (GP) could be reduced by effective management of this patient group
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