چکیده (انگلیسی):

Background:This study aimed to examine the prevalence, risk factors, detection rates and management of primary
care depression in Hong Kong.
Methods:A cross-sectional survey containing the PHQ-9 instrument was conducted on waiting room patients of
59 primary care doctors. Doctors blinded to the PHQ-9 scores reported whether they thought their patients had
depression and their management.
Results:10,179 patients completed the survey (response rate 81%). The prevalence of PHQ-9 positive screening
was 10.7% (95% CI: 9.7%-11.7%). Using multivariate analysis, risk factors for being PHQ-9 positive included: being
female; aged ≤34 years; being unmarried; unemployed, a student or a homemaker; having a monthly household
income < HKD$30,000 (USD$3,800); being a current smoker; having no regular exercise; consulted a doctor or Chinese
medical practitioner within the last month; having≥two co-morbidities; having a family history of mental illness; and
having a past history of depression or other mental illness. Overall, 23.1% of patients who screened PHQ-9 positive
received a diagnosis of depression by the doctor. Predictors for receiving a diagnosis of depression included: having
higher PHQ-9 scores; a past history of depression or other mental health problem; being female; aged≥35 years; being
retired or a homemaker; being non-Chinese; having no regular exercise; consulted a doctor within the last month;
having a family history of mental health problems; and consulted a doctor in private practice.
In patients diagnosed with depression, 43% were prescribed antidepressants, 11% were prescribed benzodiazepines,
42% were provided with counseling and 9% were referred, most commonly to a counselor.
Conclusion:About one in ten primary care patients screen positive for depression, of which doctors diagnose
depression in approximately one in four. At greatest risk for depression are patients with a past history of depression,
who are unemployed, or who have multiple illnesses. Patients most likely to receive a diagnosis of depression by a
doctor are those with a past history of depression or who have severe symptoms of depression. Chinese patients
are half as likely to be diagnosed with depression as non-Chinese patients. Over half of all patients diagnosed
with depression are treated with medications.