Co-morbid condition as an important factor influencing depression treatment

Eur J Gen Pract. 2008;14(3-4):136-7. doi: 10.1080/13814780802687539.

Abstract

There are different factors influencing the treatment of depression. An important factor is co-morbidity. We made an analysis of depression treatment within general practice in Estonia as part of the PREDICT study in 2003-2005. The study group consisted of consecutive patients (n=1094), aged 18-75 years, who sought consultation from their family doctor. We found that more antidepressants, anxiolytics, and hypnotics were prescribed to patients with co-morbid mental disorder (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 5.49 [3.61-8.40], 8.38 [5.33-13.18], and 4.02 [2.30-7.02], respectively) compared to those patients who did not have this disorder.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Depression / complications
  • Depression / drug therapy*
  • Estonia
  • General Practice / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / therapeutic use
  • Mental Disorders / complications
  • Mental Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives