Finder: Baseline results and caseness of depression

Abstract

Introduction

The objective is to describe baseline results about whole FINDER population sample as per clinical diagnosis and “caseness” subgroups of depression and anxiety as per HADS scale.

Method

Diagnosis of depression in the FINDER Study was based on clinical judgment (Adult patients with a first or new episode of depression and initiating antidepressant medication for their depression. At baseline, information was collected about soicodemographics, psychiatric, medical and medication history. In addition, a number of self-reported scales were considered in order to evaluate patients' symptoms and health related quality of life (HRQOL). The HADS scale was used to define caseness: non-cases (scores 0-7); doubtful cases (scores 8-10) and probable cases (scores >=11).

Results

There were 3468 eligible patients as per clinical diagnosis. Of those, 66.3% and 74.1% qualified as probable cases of depression and anxiety respectively. Mean (SD) HADS-D and HADS-A scores were 12.3[4.5] and 13.0[4.0] respectively. 55.9% of sample population had overlapping depression and anxiety “caseness”, whilst 15.3% were “no or doubtful caseness” for both depression and anxiety. HRQOL as measured by mean (SD) SF-36 scores showed a descendent trend for HADS depression subgroups particularly for the mental component (33.5[10.3] “non cases”; 26.3[8.1] “doubtful cases” and 18.4[7.9] “probable cases”). This trend was also found for the HADS anxiety subscale.

Conclusion

Findings will be discussed in light of contextual differences between depression diagnosis as per clinical judgement and self-reported measures in outpatient care.