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Depression in Primary Care: Comorbid Disorders and Related Problems

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Abstract

Identifying and treating depression has been a major focus in primary care over the last decade. Unfortunately, treatments have not been as successful as originally hoped. The current study investigated factors that may contribute to poor outcomes in a sample of VA primary care patients. Results indicate that 15.5% of the patients in this investigation had significant symptoms of depression. The vast majority (89.6%) of these patients also had significant symptoms of at least one additional comorbid psychiatric condition. Furthermore, an association between depression and unhealthy behaviors (smoking, not exercising) was demonstrated. Finally, sexual dysfunction and chronic pain were more frequently observed in individuals with depressive symptoms. These findings illustrate that depression is only one of many problems for most primary care patients identified with depression. A multidisciplinary team in primary care is recommended to provide a coordinated approach to the treatment of depression and its associated problems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Veterans Administration Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts

    Barbara L. Niles, DeAnna L. Mori & Erika J. Wolf

  2. National Center for PTSD, Behavioral Sciences Division, Boston, Massachusetts

    Barbara L. Niles & Erika J. Wolf

  3. Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts

    Barbara L. Niles & DeAnna L. Mori

  4. Veterans Administration Providence Healthcare System, Providence, Rhode Island

    Jennifer F. Lambert

  5. Brown University Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island

    Jennifer F. Lambert

  6. Boston University Department of Psychology, Boston, Massachusetts

    Erika J. Wolf

  7. National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System 116-B-2, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02130

    Barbara L. Niles

Authors
  1. Barbara L. Niles
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  2. DeAnna L. Mori
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  3. Jennifer F. Lambert
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  4. Erika J. Wolf
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Correspondence to Barbara L. Niles.

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Niles, B.L., Mori, D.L., Lambert, J.F. et al. Depression in Primary Care: Comorbid Disorders and Related Problems. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 12, 71–77 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-005-0914-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-005-0914-z

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