Problems in using the hospital anxiety and depression scale for screening patients in general practice

A study was made of the feasibility of screening general practice patients for anxiety and depression using the hospital anxiety and depression scale. A group of consecutive patients aged 18 years and over completed the questionnaire at the surgery and an age and sex matched sample were sent questio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of general practice 1990-01, Vol.40 (330), p.27-28
Main Authors: Dowell, A C, Biran, L A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Anxiety Disorders - diagnosis
Depressive Disorder - diagnosis
Family Practice
Health Promotion - methods
Humans
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:A study was made of the feasibility of screening general practice patients for anxiety and depression using the hospital anxiety and depression scale. A group of consecutive patients aged 18 years and over completed the questionnaire at the surgery and an age and sex matched sample were sent questionnaires by post; 94 patients (84%) returned the postal questionnaire. A further group of 170 consecutive patients coming for consultation were recruited. Using a threshold score of eight and over, 51% of patients screened by post were probable 'cases' of psychiatric disorder and using a score of 11 and over, 28% were 'cases'. These proportions were similar for patients screened when attending the surgery. The findings are discussed in the context of well-person screening, and a strategy for follow-up of probable cases is put forward.
ISSN:0960-1643