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Long-term treatment with antidepressants in primary care

Are sub-therapeutic doses still being used?

Talygarn, County Hospital Site, Griffithstown, Pontypool, Gwent NP4 5YA

A postal survey of 222 patients receiving long-term antidepressants in a training general practice showed that the majority were GHQ-12 cases and 62% of respondents reported moderate or severe depressive symptoms on the BDI-13. Although these patients received significantly higher doses than those reporting few or no symptoms, only 40% were prescribed at least a therapeutic antidepressant dose. All patients reporting mild, moderate or severe depressive symptoms consulted their general practitioner significantly more frequently than those without symptoms and the content of these consultations suggested that the general practitioners were aware of these patients' psychological morbidity. Monitoring and appropriate management of patients receiving long-term antidepressants could lead to reduction in morbidity and consultation rate.

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