Survey study, 2000
How common are mental health conditions in women seeing gynecology doctors?
One in five women visiting a gynecology clinic have a current mental health condition. A screening questionnaire helps doctors identify these conditions, but it rarely leads to actual treatment.
What they did
3000 women at 7 gynecology clinics completed the PRIME-MD PHQ mental health screening questionnaire. Doctors assessed whether the questionnaire was useful. Mental health professionals made independent diagnoses. Researchers measured impact on daily activities, missed work, doctor visits, and stress.
What they found
One in five women had current mental health disorders. Women with a PHQ diagnosis had more difficulty with daily activities, more days unable to work, more doctor visits, and more stress than women without these diagnoses. Most doctors said the questionnaire was useful for making management decisions. However, the diagnosis rarely led to women being referred for treatment.
What it means for you
Mental health conditions are common in women, especially those visiting gynecology doctors. The questionnaire is good at identifying these conditions, but there is a gap between identifying a problem and actually getting women treatment. This is not about treating a condition but about screening and diagnosis.
3000 women
Sample size
1 in 5
Rate of mental health disorders
7 clinics
Number of sites
About the study
- Original title
- Validity and utility of the PRIME-MD patient health questionnaire in assessment of 3000 obstetric-gynecologic patients: the PRIME-MD Patient Health Questionnaire Obstetrics-Gynecology Study
- Authors
- Spitzer RL, Williams JB, Kroenke K et al.
- Journal
- American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
- Year
- 2000
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 3,000
- What was tested
- None - testing a screening questionnaire, not a treatment
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1067/mob.2000.106580
Topics
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