The prevalence of depression in Turkish speaking patients in an East London general practice

The purpose of the study was to estimate the prevalence rate of depression in the Turkish speaking population of an East London group general practice and to examine the presenting symptoms which brought the general practitio ner to make the diagnosis. The medical records of all Turkish speaking pati ents over the age of 18 years in the practice were reviewed for documented diagnoses and/or treatment of depression using a standardized questionnaire . Turkish speaking patients were identified from the computerized data base of the practice by a Turkish Health Advocate. Turkish patients were found to have over three times the rate of depression to that expected in the gen eral population. Turkish patients were also more likely to present with som atic symptoms. The increased prevalence of depression can be attributed to the poor housing, high unemployment and social isolation that many people i n the Turkish community are exposed to. General practitioners looking after Turkish speaking patients should be aware of the high prevalence of depres sion and should consider the diagnosis in patients presenting with physical symptoms. Primary Care Psychiatry 2000; 6:33-36, (C) 2000 by LibraPharm Li mited.