Abstract
Introduction: Depression is considered one of the major health issue worldwide. There are many categories such as depressive disorder (MDD), persistent depressive disorder, and other subsyndromal disorders, are crucial causes of morbidity and mortality and an indirect cause of mortality. It is a worldwide problem that is affecting the United States as well. The prevalence of depression is suggested to be more than ten percent. In US, the twelve month prevalence for depressive disorders is nine percent, and three percent for major depression. 1 The data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES) suggested that about seven percent of the US population aged 12 and older had moderate or severe depressive. 2 The worldwide data show about 350 million people affected by depressive disorders, making it 1 of the top three causes of morbidity as measured by disability-adjusted life-years. 3
The moderate and severe depression is linked to significant consequences on quality of life, especially the social, work, and family life. People with moderate or severe depressive symptoms were seen to be more likely to report difficulties in these aspects of life, in comparison to those with symptoms. 2 Depression have financial economic burden, suggested in the United States. 4 Depressive disorders in adults begin to increase in prevalence in those ages twenty, and remians to increase into middle age, with females more likely to be affected than males. In the US, people living below the poverty level are more than twice as likely to have moderate or severe depressive symptoms as those with higher incomes. After taking into consideration income, depressive symptom prevalence does not vary significantly across different races or ethnic groups. Depression is common in those who are unmarried, divorced, or widowed, in comparison to those who are married; in those who have suffered traumatic life events; and in those with a family history of depression. 2 But, rates of depression continue to be significant even in those without these risk factors. Depression is also associated with increased risk from other comorbid conditions, involving cardiovascular disease. 5 Sadly, more than seventy percent of patients who screen positive for depression do not receive management. 6Aim of work: In this review, we will discuss, depression screening in the family practice
Methodology: We did a systematic search for depression screening in the family practice using PubMed search engine (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) and Google Scholar search engine (https://scholar.google.com). We only included full articles.
The terms used in the search were: Depression, screening, family practice, managementConclusions: Depression is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It usually goes without recognition or effective treatment. Screening has the ability to improve detection of depression. Coupled with a strong system for management that uses collaborative care, screening has the ability to decrease symptoms and improve quality of life and functional status. Despite evidence of efficacy, depression screening continues to be incompletely implemented. Healthcare providers who wish to improve their effectiveness in implementation should apply a standard office approach to screening and diagnostic confirmation, followed by shared decision-making about treatment options. Providers also should develop a standard approach for follow-up to ensure treatment effectiveness. The most efficient approaches involve a multidisciplinary team, and use both inpatient and outpatient care.