SIMPLE STEPS TO DIAGNOSIS AT PRIMARY-CARE CENTERS

The prevalence of depression in elderly people varies strongly with th e diagnostic criteria and methodology used, but it is often reported 1 2-15%. During a period of 3 months 1189 patients at two primary care c entres were asked to participate in a study there a Swedish version of the Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS-20, were used. One-thousand and t wo patients were rated, and further analysis showed that 12.9% suffere d from affective disorders. Depression in elderly is underdiagnosed in primary care centres. A screening instrument such as the GDS-20 is of value in identifying patients with depression. The 10 doctors who par ticipated in the study found the GDS-20 easy to handle and it is recom mended to be used at every primary care centre. Int Clin Psychopharmac ol 13 (suppl 5):S31-S34 (C) 1998 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins