Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in gynecologic outpatients.

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the point prevalence of psychiatric disorders in an unselected gynecologic population. Participants were 1013 consecutive women attending 2 outpatient gynecology clinics in northern Sweden between November 16 and December 15, 1998. The Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) was used as a diagnostic tool for evaluating mood, anxiety, and eating disorders. Overall, 897 patients (88.5%) filled in the diagnostic tool's patient questionnaire. Psychiatric disorders were present in 30.5% of the patients. Mood disorders were most common; major depression was prevalent in 10.1% of patients and minor depression was seen in 12.4% of patients. Anxiety disorders were also common and were encountered in 12.1% of patients. Among patients with a diagnosis, only 21.4% had some form of treatment. The prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in an outpatient gynecology clinic is high. The majority of women with a diagnosis based on the diagnostic tool did not have a previous diagnosis and were untreated.