[Anxiety disorders in general practice: frequency--treatment. A survey of the Aquitaine Sentinel Network]

This study, conducted in Aquitaine (Southwest France), was designed to assess both frequency and treatment of anxiety disorders in general practice patients.

The assessment was cross-sectional; a random sample of 312 patients was chosen and evaluated during the last week of Mai 1993, by 55 general practitioners who usually collaborate in the Aquitaine Sentinel Network, supported by the Department of Medical Statistics and Public Health of the University of Bordeaux. Anxiety disorders were assessed by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and level of depression was self evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory. The physicians reported current psychological and psychopharmacological treatments, and request for treatment of every patient tested.

Frequency of anxiety disorders is concordant with available epidemiological data in French general population. There is no sex difference for anxiety disorders in this study, in opposition to what is known in the general population (2 = 1.47, p > .05). Women are more treated than men (drugs: chi(2) = 7.31 p < .01; psychotherapies: chi(2) = 7.58 p < .04) although they don't request for more treatment (chi(2) = .59 p M .05). Benzodiazepines and psychodynamic oriented therapies are the most used treatments for any anxiety disorders; specific treatments (antidepressive drugs, behavioral therapies) of anxiety are very rarely prescribed.

This study shows the difference between the current theoretical knowledge in anxiety disorders, and the management of these disorders by the general practitioner. It suggests that patient's request, in opposition to what is often found in the literature, is not a determinant factor in treatment.