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Depressive symptoms are often unrecognized in gynaecological practice
P Buekens1, K van Heeringen, M Boutsen
1Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Free University of Brussels, Belgium. pierre_buekens@unc.edu
European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology
|December 10, 1998
Summary
Gynaecologists in Belgium often miss signs of depression in women. A study found that while doctors identified 12% of patients with depressive symptoms, a validated scale indicated up to 35% had them.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive health and mental well-being.
- Clinical psychology and psychiatry.
Background:
- Depressive symptoms are common in women's health.
- Gynaecological settings are crucial for identifying women's health issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the identification of depressive symptoms in Belgian gynaecological practice.
- To compare practitioner-based identification with a standardized depression scale.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 170 gynaecologists in Belgium.
- Inclusion of 2174 female patients.
- Utilized a general medical depression scale for symptom detection.
Main Results:
- Gynaecologists identified depressive symptoms in 12% of patients.
- The Depression Scale indicated 35% of patients had two or more positive answers.
- 19% of patients scored four or more positive answers on the Depression Scale.
Conclusions:
- Depressive symptoms are frequently underidentified in gynaecological practice.
- Standardized screening tools are essential for accurate depression detection.
- Improved identification can enhance women's mental health outcomes.