Psychiatric morbidity in primary care

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of hidden psychiatric morbidity was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire [GHQ] and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale [HAD]. A total of 149 Bahraini patients aged > or = 16 years were selected randomly from those attending primary health care centres for problems other than psychiatric illness. The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity using GHQ was 45.1% [cut-off > or = 5] and 27.1% [cut-off > or = 9]. Using the HAD scale, the prevalence was 44.4% [cut-off > or = 8] and 23.6% [cut-off > or = 11]. Psychiatric morbidity was more common in women aged 50-55 years, in divorcees or widows and in lesser educated patients. Either instrument could be used to diagnose psychiatric illness