Long-term outcome of patients with neurotic illness in general practice

Abstract

Objective: To determine the 11 year outcome of neurotic disorder in general practice.

Design: Cohort study over 11 years.

Setting: Two general practices in Warwickshire England.

Subjects: 100 patients selected to be representative of those identified nationally by general practitioners as having neurotic disorders.

Main outcome measures: Mortality, morbidity, and use of health services.

Results: At 11 years 87 subjects were traced. The 11 year standardised mortality ratio was 173 (95% confidence interval 164 to 200). 47 were cases on the general health questionnaire, 32 had a relapsing or chronic psychiatric course, and 49 a relapsing or chronic physical course. Treatment for psychiatric illness was mainly drugs. The mean number of consultations per year was 10.8 (median 8.7). A persistent psychiatric diagnosis at one year follow up was associated with high attendance ( > 12 visits a year for 11 years) at follow up after age, sex, and physical illness were adjusted for. Severity of psychiatric illness (general health questionnaire score) at outset predicted general health questionnaire score at 11 year follow up, course of psychiatric illness, and high consultation rate.

Conclusion: These data support the view that a neurotic illness can become chronic and is associated with raised mortality from all causes and high use of services. Such patients need effective intervention, particularly those with a more severe illness who do not recover within one year.