Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in gynecologic outpatients

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine the point prevalence of p sychiatric disorders in an unselected gynecologic population. STUDY DESIGN: Participants were 1013 consecutive women attending 2 outpatie nt gynecology clinics in northern Sweden between November 16 and December 1 5, 1998. The Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) was use d as a diagnostic tool for evaluating mood, anxiety, and eating disorders. RESULTS: Overall, 897 patients (88.5%) filled in the diagnostic tool's pati ent questionnaire. Psychiatric disorders were present in 30.5% of the patie nts. Mood disorders were most common; major depression was prevalent in 10. 1% of patients and minor depression was seen in 12.4% of patients. Anxiety disorders were also common and were encountered in 12.1% of patients. Among patients with a diagnosis, only 21.4% had some form of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in an outpatient gynecology clinic is high. The majority of women with a diagnosis based on the diagnostic tool did not have a previous diagnosis and were untreated.