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Prevalence and impact of generalized anxiety disorder and major depression in primary care in Belgium and Luxemburg: the GADIS study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

Marc Ansseau ,
Benjamin Fischler ,
Michel Dierick ,
Annick Mignon  and
Sophie Leyman
Marc Ansseau*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, CHU du Sart Tilman (B35), University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
Benjamin Fischler
Affiliation:
University Hospital St. Pierre, Brussels, Belgium
Michel Dierick
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Hospital St. Camillus, Ghent, Belgium
Annick Mignon
Affiliation:
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Sophie Leyman
Affiliation:
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
*
*Corresponding author. Tel.: +32 4 366 7960; fax: +32 4 366 7283. E-mail address: marc.ansseau@chu.ulg.ac.be (M. Ansseau).
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Abstract

Purpose

GADIS aims at determining the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depression (MD) in primary care and their impact on the patient’s functioning in Belgium and Luxemburg.

Methods

A large scale screening program was conducted at the consultation of general practitioners to detect patients with GAD and MD according to DSM-IV criteria. We collected additional data regarding the use of hypnotic, tranquilizer, antidepressant and analgesic medications. Impact on the patient was assessed with the Sheehan disability scale.

Results

Three hundred GP’s in Belgium and Luxemburg were asked to screen 50 consecutive patients. Of the 13,677 analyzed patients, 8.3% were diagnosed to have GAD and 6.3% MD. Comorbidity was observed in 4.2% of patients. The prevalence was much higher in the French-speaking part of Belgium. GAD and MD were associated with impairment in social, familial and professional functioning. Only a minority of patients with GAD and/or MD was treated with an antidepressant and almost half of subjects with GAD and/or MD were treated with a tranquilizer.

Conclusions

Prevalence rates of GAD and MD in primary care in Belgium are comparable to other countries. GAD and MD are disabling conditions. Antidepressants are still used only in a minority of subjects with GAD and/or MD in primary care in Belgium and Luxemburg. The prevalence of GAD and MD appears to be much higher in French-speaking parts of Belgium.

Keywords

DepressionAnxietyPrevalencePrimary careImpairmentGeneralized anxiety disorderMajor depression
Type
Original article
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 20 , Issue 3 , May 2005 , pp. 229 - 235
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier SAS 2005

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