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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

Published on: February 22, 2018

Do unexplained symptoms predict anxiety or depression? Ten-year data from a practice-based research network.

Kees van Boven¹, Peter Lucassen, Hiske van Ravesteijn

¹Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, The Netherlands.

The British Journal of General Practice : the Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners

|August 2, 2011

Summary

Unexplained symptoms presented to a general practitioner (GP) are linked to depression and anxiety. However, these symptom episodes have low predictive value for mental health disorders, making screening unjustified in primary care.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 30, 2026

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

Published on: February 22, 2018

Area of Science:

Primary Care Medicine
Psychiatry
Epidemiology

Background:

Unexplained symptoms are commonly associated with depression and anxiety.
Previous research primarily used patient-reported symptoms, not those presented to general practitioners (GPs).

Purpose of the Study:

To determine if unexplained symptoms presented to GPs predict future mental disorders.
To compare the predictive value of unexplained symptoms versus somatic symptoms for mental health conditions.

Main Methods:

Analysis of longitudinal data from a Dutch practice-based research network (The Transition Project) from 1997-2008.
Involved 16,000 patients and 10 GPs, examining symptom episodes in relation to depression and anxiety.
Calculated the predictive value of unexplained and somatic symptom episodes for mental disorders.

Main Results:

Both unexplained (somatoform) and somatic symptom episodes showed a significant association with depression and anxiety.
Presenting two or more symptom episodes increased the risk of anxiety or depression five-fold.
The positive predictive value of symptom episodes for anxiety and depression was limited.

Conclusions:

While symptom episodes are statistically related to anxiety and depression, their predictive power is low.
Screening for mental health problems in primary care patients with unexplained symptoms is not clinically justified.
Further research may be needed to understand the complex relationship between physical symptoms and mental health.