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. 1997 Jun:170:529-35.
doi: 10.1192/bjp.170.6.529.

Mental health in primary care. An epidemiological study of morbidity and use of health resources

J L Vázquez-Barquero  1 , J García, J A Simón, C Iglesias, J Montejo, A Herrán, G Dunn
Affiliations

Mental health in primary care. An epidemiological study of morbidity and use of health resources

J L Vázquez-Barquero et al. Br J Psychiatry. 1997 Jun.

Abstract

Background: The main objectives of the survey were: (a) to analyse the sociological, clinical and illness-related correlates of mental illness in primary care; (b) to study, during one-year follow-up, outcome and use of health resources.

Method: The survey comprised a two-phase cross-sectional study. In the first phase patients were classified using the GHQ-28 or by the general practitioner (GP). In the second phase they were assessed by the SCAN system.

Results: The prevalence rate of mental illness (in attenders) using the GHQ was 33.2%. The corresponding rate for the GP was 14.1%, and for the SCAN 31.5%. Mental illness mainly comprised depression, anxiety and alcohol-related diagnoses. The presence of mental illness and the use of health resources during follow-up were dependent on demographic characteristics and on their original psychiatric status.

Conclusions: In primary care, mental illness constitutes a major health problem. Despite this fact, GPs do not recognise a substantial proportion of these health problems.

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