Factors affecting the presence of depression, anxiety disorders, and suicidal ideation in patients
attending primary health care service in Lithuania
Sammanfattning
Objective. The aim of this study was to establish prevalence, recognition, and risk factors for
mental disorders and suicidal ideation in PC patients. Design. A cross-sectional survey based on
standard mental health evaluation. Setting. Lithuanian primary care. Subjects. 998 patients from four
urban PC clinics. Main outcome measures. Current mental disorders and suicidal ideation assessed
using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Results. According to the MINI, 27% of
patients were diagnosed with at least one current mental disorder. The most common mental
disorders were generalized anxiety disorder (18%) and major depressive episode (MDE) (15%),
followed by social phobia (3%), panic disorder (3%), and post-traumatic stress disorder (2%). Some
6% of patients reported suicidal ideation. About 70% of patients with current mental disorder had no
documented psychiatric diagnosis and about 60% received no psychiatric treatment. Greater adjusted
odds for current MDE were associated with being widowed or divorced patients (odds ratio, OR = 1.8,
95% CI 1.2–2.8) and with lower education (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.3), while greater adjusted odds for
any current anxiety disorder were found for women (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.3–2.8) and for patients with
documented insomnia (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.2–4.2). Suicidal ideation was independently associated
with use of antidepressants (OR = 5.4, 95% CI 1.7–16.9), with current MDE (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.5–5.8),
and with excessive alcohol consumption (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.8). Conclusions. Depression,
anxiety disorders, and suicidal ideation are prevalent but poorly recognized among PC patients. The
presence of current MDE is independently associated with marital status and with lower education,
while current anxiety disorder is associated with female gender and insomnia. Suicidal ideation is
associated with current MDE, and with antidepressants and alcohol use.