Gambling and the Role of Resilience in an International Online Sample of Current and Ex-serving Military Personnel as Compared to the General Population.

Compared to the general population, military personnel are particularly vulnerable to developing gambling problems. The present study examined the presentation of gambling-including gambling frequency, personal thoughts on reducing gambling and recommendations from others to reduce gambling-across these populations. Additionally, the study measured the association between gambling and various psychosocial risk and protective factors-including psychological distress, suicidal ideation, external encouragement to reduce substance use, days out of role, personal wellbeing, resilience, social support and intimate bonds. Data was extracted from the Global Health & Wellbeing Survey, an online self-report survey conducted in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. Of the 10,765 eligible respondents, 394 were military veterans and 337 were active military personnel. Consistent with previous research, a higher proportion of gambling behaviours were observed in both current and ex-serving military samples, compared to the general population. To varying degrees, significant associations were found between the different gambling items and all psychosocial risk and protective factors in the general population sample. However, the military sample yielded only one significant association between gambling frequency and the protective factor 'resilience'. A post hoc stepwise linear regression analysis demonstrated the possible mediating role resilience plays between gambling frequency and other psychosocial risk (psychological distress, and suicidal thoughts and behaviour) and protective factors (personal wellbeing) for the military sample. Given the findings, it is recommended that routine screening tools identifying problem gambling are used within the military, and subsequent resilience focused interventions are offered to at risk personnel.

Awareness of headspace youth mental health service centres across Australian communities between 2008 and 2015.

Background: Two common barriers to help-seeking are lack of awareness of appropriate services, and low mental health literacy. The headspace awareness campaigns are designed to address these factors.Aims: To examine whether distance from a headspace centre affects community awareness of headspace, and whether general awareness of headspace changed between 2008 and 2015.Method: Responses from 4707 participants aged 12-25 years, collected in 2008 and 2015, were analysed. The effect of headspace centre location on awareness of services was assessed by comparing awareness between those living in headspace areas (within 20 km of a centre) and those who were not. Change in awareness between 2008 and 2015 was assessed.Results: Awareness of headspace and its services was significantly greater among those living in headspace areas than among those living further away. Within headspace areas, awareness increased by 27% between 2008 and 2015. Prompted and unprompted awareness were significantly greater in 2015 than in 2008.Conclusions: Awareness of headspace has increased over time; however, innovative awareness campaigns are needed for those residing in non-headspace areas. Continued funding to increase headspace's national coverage, improving mental health literacy and service access for youth and their families, particularly those living in non-headspace areas, is needed.

The effect of oxytocin nasal spray on social interaction deficits observed in young children with autism: a randomized clinical crossover trial.

Interventions for autism are limited. The synthetic hormone oxytocin may provide a potential treatment to improve core social and behavioral difficulties in autism, but its efficacy has yet to be evaluated in young children who potentially may benefit to a greater extent. We investigated the efficacy, tolerability and safety of oxytocin treatment in young children with autism using a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover, clinical trial. Thirty-one children with autism received 12 International Units (IU) of oxytocin and placebo nasal spray morning and night (24 IU per day) for 5 weeks, with a 4-week washout period between each treatment. Compared with placebo, oxytocin led to significant improvements on the primary outcome of caregiver-rated social responsiveness. Overall, nasal spray was well tolerated, and the most common reported adverse events were thirst, urination and constipation. This study is the first clinical trial to support the potential of oxytocin as an early intervention for young children with autism to help improve social interaction deficits.

Dinuclear first-row transition metal complexes with a naphthyridine-based dinucleating ligand.

A series of dinuclear and tetranuclear first-row transition metal complexes were synthesized with the dinucleating ligand 2,7-bis(di(2-pyridyl)fluoromethyl)-1,8-naphthyridine (DPFN). The coordination pocket and rigidity of the DPFN ligand enforces pseudo-octahedral geometries about the metal centers that contain chloro, hydroxo, and aqua bridging ligands forming a "diamond" shaped configuration with metal-metal distances varying from 2.7826(5) to 3.2410(11) Å. Each metal center in the dinuclear complexes has an additional open coordination site that accommodates terminal ligands in a syn geometry of particular interest in catalyst design. The complexes are characterized by electronic spectroscopy, electrochemistry and potentiometric titration methods.

The genus Atheris (Serpentes: Viperidae) in East Africa: phylogeny and the role of rifting and climate in shaping the current pattern of species diversity.

Past climatic and tectonic events are believed to have strongly influenced species diversity in the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot. We investigated the phylogenetic relationships and historical biogeography of the East African genus Atheris (Serpentes: Viperidae), and explored temporal and spatial relationships between Atheris species across Africa, and the impact of palaeoclimatic fluctuations and tectonic movements on cladogenesis of the genus. Using mitochondrial sequence data, the phylogeny of East African species of Atheris shows congruent temporal patterns that link diversification to major tectonic and aridification events within East Africa over the last 15million years (my). Our results are consistent with a scenario of a delayed direct west-east colonisation of the Eastern Arc Mountains of Atheris by the formation of the western rift. Based on the phylogenetic patterns, this terrestrial, forest-associated genus has dispersed into East Africa across a divided route, on both west-southeasterly and west-northeasterly directions (a C-shaped route). Cladogenesis in the Eastern Arc Mountains and Southern Highlands of Tanzania corresponds to late Miocene and Plio-Pleistocene climatic shifts. Taxonomically, our data confirmed the monophyly of Atheris as currently defined, and reveal four major East African clades, three of which occur in discrete mountain ranges. Possible cryptic taxa are identified in the Atheris rungweensis and A. ceratophora clades.

Conserving large populations of lions - the argument for fences has holes.

Packer et al. reported that fenced lion populations attain densities closer to carrying capacity than unfenced populations. However, fenced populations are often maintained above carrying capacity, and most are small. Many more lions are conserved per dollar invested in unfenced ecosystems, which avoid the ecological and economic costs of fencing.

Genetic co-morbidity between neuroticism, anxiety/depression and somatic distress in a population sample of adolescent and young adult twins.

BACKGROUND: Genetic studies in adults indicate that genes influencing the personality trait of neuroticism account for substantial genetic variance in anxiety and depression and in somatic health. Here, we examine for the first time the factors underlying the relationship between neuroticism and anxiety/depressive and somatic symptoms during adolescence. METHOD: The Somatic and Psychological Health Report (SPHERE) assessed symptoms of anxiety/depression (PSYCH-14) and somatic distress (SOMA-10) in 2459 adolescent and young adult twins [1168 complete pairs (35.4% monozygotic, 53% female)] aged 12-25 years (mean=15.5 ± 2.9). Differences between boys and girls across adolescence were explored for neuroticism, SPHERE-34, and the subscales PSYCH-14 and SOMA-10. Trivariate analyses partitioned sources of covariance in neuroticism, PSYCH-14 and SOMA-10. RESULTS: Girls scored higher than boys on both neuroticism and SPHERE, with SPHERE scores for girls increasing slightly over time, whereas scores for boys decreased or were unchanged. Neuroticism and SPHERE scores were strongly influenced by genetic factors [heritability (h(2)) = 40-52%]. A common genetic source influenced neuroticism, PSYCH-14 and SOMA-10 (impacting PSYCH-14 more than SOMA-10). A further genetic source, independent of neuroticism, accounted for covariation specific to PSYCH-14 and SOMA-10. Environmental influences were largely specific to each measure. CONCLUSIONS: In adolescence, genetic risk factors indexed by neuroticism contribute substantially to anxiety/depression and, to a lesser extent, perceived somatic health. Additional genetic covariation between anxiety/depressive and somatic symptoms, independent of neuroticism, had greatest influence on somatic distress, where it was equal in influence to the factor shared with neuroticism.

Polymorphisms in Toll-like receptors-2 and -4 are not associated with disease manifestations in acute Q fever.

Coxiella burnetii is a macrophage-tropic, Gram-negative organism, which causes acute Q fever infection in humans. This zoonotic infection causes illness ranging from asymptomatic seroconversion to severe and protracted disease featuring hepatitis and pneumonia. Interactions between C. burnetii lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and host Toll-like receptors (TLR)-2 and -4 have been implicated in pathogen recognition, phagocytosis and signaling responses. Nonconservative single nucleotide polymorphisms in the coding regions of TLR-2 (Arg677Trp and Arg753Gln) and TLR-4 (Asp299Gly) have been found to correlate with mycobacterial infections and Gram-negative sepsis respectively. Associations between the TLR-2 and -4 polymorphisms, illness characteristics and immune response parameters were examined in subjects with acute Q fever (n=85) and comparison subjects with viral infections (n=162). No correlation was demonstrated between these polymorphisms and susceptibility to Q fever, illness severity or illness course.

Fatigue and psychological distress--exploring the relationship in women treated for breast cancer.

Disabling fatigue and psychological symptoms of depression or anxiety are commonly reported by women with treated breast cancer. However, most instruments designed to assess fatigue do not assess concurrent psychological symptoms. This study compared the characteristics of two conceptually different, self-report instruments assessing fatigue to determine the extent to which common psychological symptoms co-exist with the symptom of fatigue in women treated for breast cancer. Women attending an oncology day-care facility for adjuvant treatment of breast cancer or ongoing surveillance post-treatment, completed two self-report questionnaires. The Somatic and Psychological Health REport-34 items (SPHERE) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue (FACT-F subscale-13 items). One hundred and nine women (mean age 52.8 years) completed both questionnaires and total scores on both fatigue assessment scales, FACT-F and SOMA-6, were highly correlated (r = 0.72, P < 0.001). Using the SPHERE case criteria, prolonged fatigue (37% [40/109]) and psychological distress 31% (34/109) were common in women treated for breast cancer. However, those who reported fatigue were much more likely to also report psychological symptoms (22/40 vs. 12/69, X(2) = 16.7: degrees of freedom (df)=1; P < 0.001) and the levels of fatigue on the FACT-F were not significantly different between those who reported "fatigue only" and those who reported "psychological distress only" (18.8 vs. 17.8, P = 0.79). Thus the recent emphasis on recording fatigue during and following treatments for cancer needs to be accompanied by concurrent measurement of psychological symptoms.

Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines correlates with the symptoms of acute sickness behaviour in humans.

BACKGROUND: Elaboration of the concept of cytokine-induced sickness behaviour in recent years has opened new avenues for understanding brain involvement in sickness and recovery processes. Additionally, this has led to much speculation about the role of the immune system in neuropsychiatric syndromes, including depression and chronic fatigue. However, few studies have examined this phenomenon as it naturally occurs in sick humans, and none has attempted to document the quantitative relationships between cytokine levels and non-specific symptoms. The aim of this research was to examine human sickness behaviour and its immunological correlates in documented Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Q fever or Ross River virus (RRV) infections. METHOD: We studied two separate samples. The first consisted of 21 patients with acute Q fever. The second included 48 patients with acute RRV or EBV infection. Psychological and somatic symptom profiles were derived from self-report measures completed at enrolment. Quantification of proinflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6] in sera and supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures was undertaken by specific ELISAs. RESULTS: Levels of IL-1beta and IL-6 spontaneously released from PBMC cultures were consistently correlated with reported manifestations of acute sickness behaviour including fever, malaise, pain, fatigue, mood and poor concentration. CONCLUSIONS: IL-1beta and IL-6 produced as part of the host response represent sensitive markers of sickness behaviour in humans with acute infection. Further work is needed to systematically characterize the spectrum and natural history of sickness behaviour in humans and to elucidate its biological basis.

Building capacity of the Baltic States to meet the EU Water Framework Directive through watershed demonstration projects.

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), in cooperation with the United States EPA, is completing it role in assisting the Baltic Countries of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia with watershed management capacity building demonstration projects under the Great Lakes/Baltic Sea Partnership Program. The Countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania view the skills gained through this program as important to their objective of complying with the European Union's Water Framework Directive and thus facilitating accession into the European Union. The program also addressed Kaliningrad's desire to work cooperatively with their neighboring countries concerning shared waters. Three watershed demonstration projects were designed and implemented, two of which involved joint country efforts: Parnu River (Estonia) modeling for nutrients and bacteria survey; river basin assessment and management planning for the Lielupe Basin (Latvia and Lithuania); and data base development and cooperative water quality survey and analysis for the Sesupe River (Lithuania and Kaliningrad). The benefits of the projects include enhancing the country's technical skills and the forging of relationships, without which achieving effective watershed management will be difficult to achieve.

Androgen receptor immunoreactivity of male rat cervical motor neurons is increased by chronic pharmacologic testosterone treatment.

Chronic pharmacologic testosterone treatment of adult male rats decreases neuromuscular transmission failure (NTF) in the rat diaphragm muscle and increases choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA levels in cervical motor neurons. These testosterone-induced changes in NTF and ChAT mRNA levels may be mediated through the activation of the androgen receptor (AR). The purpose of this study was to determine if the AR expression of cervical motor neurons is modulated by chronic pharmacologic testosterone treatment of gonadally intact male rats with testosterone propionate (TP). Serum testosterone levels were elevated by a subcutaneous implant of capsules containing crystalline TP for 28 days. The proportion of motor neurons containing AR-I positive nuclei was increased from 14.8 +/- 10.8% among the control group to 81.7 +/- 12.6% in the TP-treated animals (p<0.05). These results imply that anabolic-androgenic steroid effects on neuromuscular function may be mediated through AR dependent regulation of gene expression in motor neurons.

Discovery of novel, orally active dual NK1/NK2 antagonists.

Exploration of the SAR around selective NK2 antagonists, SR48968 and ZD7944, led to the discovery that naphth-1-amide analogues provide potent dual NK1 and NK2 antagonists. ZD6021 inhibited binding of [3H]-NKA or [3H]-SP to human NK1 and NK2 receptors, with high-affinity (K(i)=0.12 and 0.62nM, respectively). In functional assays ZD6021 had, at 10(-7)M, in human pulmonary artery pK(B)=8.9 and in human bronchus pK(B)=7.3, for NK1 and NK2, respectively. Oral administration of ZD6021 to guinea pigs dose-dependently attenuated ASMSP induced extravasation of plasma proteins, ED(50)=0.5mg/kg, and NK2 mediated bronchoconstriction, ED(50)=13mg/kg.

Improving community-based services for older patients with depression: the benefits of an educational and service initiative.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to report a quality improvement project for older patients with depression. The initiative focused on both clinical practice changes (improvement of medical, neurocognitive and behavioural assessment) and service development (greater continuity of care). METHOD: After initial identification of key deficits, implementation of a service and educational initiative took place within a district mental health service. The service consisted of an inpatient unit, a specialized psychogeriatric service and two adult community mental health services. Mental health staff received education regarding the specific needs of older patients with depression and were provided with assessment materials, patient education and treatment aids. General practitioners participated in shared long-term management. RESULTS: Following graded implementation, the management of 44 subjects (mean age = 65.4 years, 91% female) recruited over an 8-month period was reviewed. Compared with 99 subjects (mean age = 68.9 years, 69% female) from the earlier 12-month assessment phase, there were significant improvements in medical (43% to 92%), neurocognitive (37% to 84%) and behavioural (e.g. suicidal ideation: 78% to 100%) assessments. Similarly, relevant laboratory investigations (neuroimaging: 21% to 67%) and communication with general practitioners (73% to 97%) improved. The most change occurred in the adult community-based treatment services. CONCLUSIONS: A coordinated management and educational initiative resulted in marked improvement in basic medical and psychiatric assessment and more integrated care. These changes did not require expansion of specialist services.

Development of a simple screening tool for common mental disorders in general practice.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a self-report screening tool for common mental disorders. DESIGN AND SETTING: Sequential development and validation studies in three cohorts of patients in general practice and one cohort of patients in a specialist psychiatry clinic. PARTICIPANTS: 1585 patients in general practice examined cross-sectionally and longitudinally; 46515 patients attending 386 general practitioners nationwide; 364 patients participating in a longitudinal study of psychiatric disorders in general practice; and 522 patients attending a specialist psychiatry clinic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Performance of the 12 items from the 34-item SPHERE questionnaire against DSM-III-R and DSM-IV diagnoses of psychiatric disorder, self-reported Brief Disability Questionnaire findings, GPs' ratings of patients' needs for psychological care and degree of risk resulting from mental disorder, and patients' and GPs' reports of reasons for presentation. RESULTS: Six somatic and six psychological questions identify two levels (and three types) of mental disorder: patients reporting both characteristic psychological and somatic symptoms (Level 1, Type 1), and patients reporting either psychological symptoms (Level 2, Type 2) or somatic symptoms (Level 2, Type 3). This classification system predicts disability ratings (Level 1, 8.2 "days out of role in the last month" and Level 2, 4.1 and 5.4 "days out of role in the last month" for Types 2 and 3, respectively), rates of lifetime psychiatric diagnoses (Level 1, 63% and Level 2, 59% and 48%, respectively), both patients' and GPs' report of reasons for presentation, and doctors' ratings of risk as a result of mental disorder. There are important and differing sociodemographic correlates for the three types of mental disorders. CONCLUSION: A classification system based on the 12 items from the 34-item SPHERE questionnaire can be used to identify common mental disorders. This system has acceptable validity and reliability, and is suited specifically for general practice settings.

Unmet need for recognition of common mental disorders in Australian general practice.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate and predictors of unmet need for recognition of common mental disorders in Australian general practice. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional national audit of general practices throughout Australia in 1998-1999. PARTICIPANTS: 46 515 ambulatory care patients attending 386 GPs. SCREENING TOOLS: Prevalence of common mental disorders--12 items from the 34-item SPHERE self-report questionnaire and associated classification system; prevalence of recognition of mental disorders by GPs--GPs reporting whether patients had depression, anxiety, mixed depression/anxiety, somatoform, or other psychological disorder; predictors of unmet need for recognition of mental disorders--self-report questions about demography for patients and GPs, and about practice organisation for GPs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reported recognition of psychological disorders by GPs; actual prevalence of disorders; and patient, GP and practice characteristics predicting the failure to recognise disorders. RESULTS: GPs did not recognise mental disorder in 56% (11922/21210) of patients. These comprised 46% (5134/11060) of patients in the higher level of mental disorders, and (in the second level of disorders) 58% (2906/5036) of patients with predominantly psychological symptoms, and 76% (3882/5114) of those with predominantly somatic symptoms. Patients more likely to have their need for psychological assessment met had the following characteristics: middle-aged (odds ratio [OR], 1.76; 95% CI, 1.59-1.96), female (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.12-1.27), Australian-born (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08-1.24), unemployed (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.64-1.89), single (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.41-1.61), presenting with mainly psychological symptoms (OR, 3.54; 95% CI, 3.28-3.81), and presenting for psychological reasons (OR, 4.20; 95% CI, 3.02-5.82). Characteristics of doctors associated with meeting patients' need for assessment were being aged over 35 years (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.09-2.08), having an interest in mental health (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.15-1.41), having had previous mental health training (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.15-1.45), being in part-time practice (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.09-1.39), seeing fewer than 100 patients per week (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.13-1.47), working in practices with fewer than 2000 patients (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.13-1.45) and working in regional centres (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05-1.28). CONCLUSION: Unmet need for recognition of common mental disorders remains high. Predictors of unmet need include a somatic symptom profile and practitioner and organisational characteristics which impede the provision of high quality mental health services.

Treatment of common mental disorders in Australian general practice.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rates and predictors of treatments for patients with common mental disorders in Australian general practice. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional national audit of general practices throughout Australia in 1998-1999. PARTICIPANTS: 46 515 ambulatory care patients attending 386 GPs. SCREENING TOOLS: Prevalence of common mental disorders--12 items from the 34-item SPHERE self-report questionnaire and associated classification system; pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment provided, as reported by the GPs--questions relating to treatments provided; predictors of treatments--self-report questions about demography for patients and GPs, and about practice organisation for GPs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: GPs' reported provision of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments; and patient, GP and practice characteristics predicting treatment provision. RESULTS: There were complete data on treatment for 39 983 patients. 27% (10752) of all patients received some form of intervention; 21% (8304) received non-pharmacological and 12% (4765) received pharmacological treatments. Non-pharmacological treatments were mostly non-specific counselling and support (83%; 6892/8304). Among the 10303 patients with the most severe level of psychological disorders, only 50% (5152) received any intervention (38% [3872] received non-pharmacological and 27% [2766] pharmacological treatments). Evidence-based treatments were provided to only 12% (4961) of all patients (and only 27% [2802] of the 10303 with the most severe disorders). Although the newer antidepressant agents were commonly prescribed, older medications (mainly tricyclic antidepressants) were prescribed to older (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.07-1.56), less educated (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.12-1.79) and female (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.23-1.70) patients. Among the 8304 patients receiving non-pharmacological treatments, specific (evidence-based) treatments were provided to only 17% (1412); these patients were typically middle-aged (OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 2.32-3.73) and the providing GPs were typically not in full-time practice (OR, 3.34; 95% CI, 2.56-4.17). CONCLUSION: Practitioners largely provide non-specific, non-pharmacological interventions for patients with common mental disorders. Even among those with the most severe disorders, only a minority receive pharmacological or specific evidence-based non-pharmacological treatments.

Comorbidity of common mental disorders and alcohol or other substance misuse in Australian general practice.

OBJECTIVE: To determine in patients attending general practice 1) the extent of comorbidity of mental disorders and alcohol or other substance misuse, and consequent disability; and 2) GPs' diagnosis and management of patients with comorbidity. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional national audit of general practices throughout Australia in 1998-1999. PARTICIPANTS: 46 515 ambulatory care patients attending 386 GPs. SCREENING TOOLS: Prevalence of common mental disorders--12 items from the 34-item SPHERE self-report questionnaire and associated classification system; prevalence of alcohol or other substance misuse--two self-report screening questions, defining "probable" misuse (a positive response to both questions) and "possible" misuse (a positive response to one of the questions); disability--four items from the Brief Disability Questionnaire, and self-reported "days out of role" and "days in bed" in the past month; and rates of psychological diagnosis, treatment and referral by GPs, and GPs' rating of patients' psychological risk. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comorbidity of mental disorders and alcohol or other substance misuse; disability; and correlation with GPs' diagnosis and management. RESULTS: The screening questions revealed possible alcohol or other substance misuse in 11% of patients (5171/46515), and probable misuse in an additional 8% of patients (3593/46515). Comorbidity of mental disorders and substance misuse occurred in 12% (5672/46515) of patients. Patients with comorbidity (compared with those with alcohol or other substance misuse alone) were: more disabled--mean "days out of role in the last month", 8.4 (95% CI, 7.7-9.1) v 3.6 (95% CI, 2.9-4.3); at greater psychological risk (as rated by GPs)--22% v 7%, respectively; more frequently given psychological diagnoses by GPs--51% v 21%; more frequently treated for a psychological condition by GPs--47% v 17%; and more frequently referred to mental health specialists by GPs--9% v 2%. CONCLUSION: Comorbidity of mental disorders and alcohol or other substance misuse is common in patients attending general practice, and results in considerable disability. Such patients receive inadequate attention (diagnosis and management) from GPs. GPs identifying one of these two types of behaviour disorder in a patient should ascertain whether the other type is also present.

Variability and predictors of mental disorder rates and medical practitioner responses across Australian general practices.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the variation in prevalence of common mental disorders and general practitioner (GP) responses across Australian general practices, and to identify practice characteristics that predict these rates. DESIGN: Cross-sectional national audit of general practices throughout Australia in 1998-1999. PARTICIPANTS: 46515 ambulatory care patients attending 386 GPs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Practice-based prevalence of mental disorders (based on patient-reported symptoms) and GP-reported rates of psychological diagnoses and treatment (median and range, excluding the upper and lower 10% of practices); practice characteristics (patient, doctor and organisational) that predict prevalences and rates, determined by multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Even after omitting the upper and lower 10% of practices, there were large variations between practices in prevalence of common mental disorders (range, 39% to 59% of patients; median, 48%), and substance misuse (range, 3%-13%; median, 7%). There were also large variations between practices in rates at which GPs made psychological diagnoses in each practice (range, 12%-51%; median, 27%), judged patients to be at risk to self or others (range, 6%-54%; median, 23%), provided psychological treatments (range, 8%-41%; median, 22%) and referred patients to specialist services (range, 1%-10%; median, 4%). Practice-based rates of disorders and GP responses were predicted not only by sociodemographic characteristics of patients in each practice (eg, mean age or proportion of unemployed people), but also by doctor characteristics (eg, age and sex) and practice organisation characteristics (eg, urban versus regional or rural location). CONCLUSION: We identified patient, GP and practice characteristics that predict rates of mental disorder and treatments provided. These could be used to guide mental health service reform in general practice and assist with targeting relevant education and practice support programs.