EPIDEMIOLOGY OF EPIDEMIOLOGY OF MENTAL PROBLEMS IN MENTAL PROBLEMS IN

FAMILY PRACTICE FAMILY PRACTICE ATTENDERSATTENDERS

JANKO KERSNIK

Department of family medicine, University Ljubljana

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE LJUBLJANA - SLOVENIA

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Anxiety and depression

High prevalence

High prevalence among primary care

users

50% of primary care users was expected

AIM: To clarify the characteristics of the

patients with mental disorders

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE LJUBLJANA - SLOVENIA

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Methods Cross-sectional study

Sample of family practice attenders

Structured self-administered questionnaire

Short Duke-AD questionnaire developed

and tested by Parkerson and co-workers

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE LJUBLJANA - SLOVENIA

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Short Duke-AD questionnaire 1/2

Did these statements describe you?0 = NOT TRUE 1 = PARTLY YES2 = YES, TRUE FOR ME

I give up easily I concentrate with difficultyI like to meet people (reversereverse)

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE LJUBLJANA - SLOVENIA

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Short Duke-AD questionnaire 2/2

How much problems did you have last week0 = no problem at all 1 = some problems2 = a lot of problems

with sleepingwith tirednessfeeling depressedwith nervousness

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE LJUBLJANA - SLOVENIA

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Results - 1/2 82,1% response rate The responses ranged from 0 to 14 points,

mean 4,8 points (SD 2,8 points) 49,4% 5 (cutcut pointpoint) or more points Females higher prevalence (51,5% vs.

45,5%; p=0,02Females under 45 years had 30% higher

probability; p=0,003

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE LJUBLJANA - SLOVENIA

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Results - 2/2

Higher number of symptoms:

Lower educational level (p<0,001)

Presence of chronic condition (p<0,001)

Experiencing nervousness in recent year

(EuroQol dimension) 2,42 times higher

probability (C.I. 2,15 - 2,73; p<0,001)

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE LJUBLJANA - SLOVENIA

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Conclusions 1/2

High prevalence - 49%

Predictors:

Female gender (age < 45),

Lower educational level

Having a chronic condition

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE LJUBLJANA - SLOVENIA

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Conclusions 2/2 Strategies to improve:Strategies to improve:Active early detection/ first line Dg.Further studies and interventionsGuidelines /awareness/Emphasise on appropriate

communication skillsTraining in coping with mental

problemsEmpowering (enabling) patients