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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Research article

Outcomes for depression and anxiety in primary care and details of treatment: a naturalistic longitudinal study

Authors: Marijn A Prins, Peter FM Verhaak, Mirrian Hilbink-Smolders, Peter Spreeuwenberg, Miranda GH Laurant, Klaas van der Meer, Harm WJ van Marwijk, Brenda WJH Penninx, Jozien M Bensing

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Background

There is little evidence as to whether or not guideline concordant care in general practice results in better clinical outcomes for people with anxiety and depression. This study aims to determine possible associations between guideline concordant care and clinical outcomes in general practice patients with depression and anxiety, and identify patient and treatment characteristics associated with clinical improvement.

Methods

This study forms part of the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA).
Adult patients, recruited in general practice (67 GPs), were interviewed to assess DSM-IV diagnoses during baseline assessment of NESDA, and also completed questionnaires measuring symptom severity, received care, socio-demographic variables and social support both at baseline and 12 months later. The definition of guideline adherence was based on an algorithm on care received. Information on guideline adherence was obtained from GP medical records.

Results

721 patients with a current (6-month recency) anxiety or depressive disorder participated. While patients who received guideline concordant care (N = 281) suffered from more severe symptoms than patients who received non-guideline concordant care (N = 440), both groups showed equal improvement in their depressive or anxiety symptoms after 12 months. Patients who (still) had moderate or severe symptoms at follow-up, were more often unemployed, had smaller personal networks and more severe depressive symptoms at baseline than patients with mild symptoms at follow-up. The particular type of treatment followed made no difference to clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

The added value of guideline concordant care could not be demonstrated in this study. Symptom severity, employment status, social support and comorbidity of anxiety and depression all play a role in poor clinical outcomes.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Outcomes for depression and anxiety in primary care and details of treatment: a naturalistic longitudinal study
Authors
Marijn A Prins
Peter FM Verhaak
Mirrian Hilbink-Smolders
Peter Spreeuwenberg
Miranda GH Laurant
Klaas van der Meer
Harm WJ van Marwijk
Brenda WJH Penninx
Jozien M Bensing
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-11-180

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