An Analysis Of Anxious And Depressive Symptoms, And Generalized Anxiety Disorder In Shanghai's Primary Care Clinics

Prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Chinese Primary Care Derek Gard-Ching Yinga, Sun-Fang Jianga, Hua Yanga, Zhu-Shan Zhu*a Corresponding author:*Zhu-Shan Zhu (zhu.shanzhu@yahoo.com.cn) aDepartment of General Practice, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, ChinaObjective:This study aimed to assess the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) among primary care patients in China. We also determined the rate of co-morbid major depression (MD) in patients with GAD and explored the differences in sociodemographic and health-related characteristics between GAD and non-GAD patients.Method:We invited consecutive outpatients who presented to four primary care facilities in Shanghai, China to fill out a survey which comprises of a screening questionnaire based on DSM-IV for GAD (GAD-7), the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and various sociodemographic and health-related variables. The four primary care facilities covered urban and suburban areas of the city. Patients completed the survey in the reception area as they wait for their medical appointment.Results:The prevalence of GAD in Chinese primary care was 4.1%(3.9%for males and 4.3% for females). This estimate was based on 127 positive results among a total of 3073 surveys collected. Of the patients who screened positive for GAD,72.4%also screened positive for MD. GAD patients, compared to non-GAD counterparts, were more likely to reported more chronic medical conditions.Conclusion:Our results pointed out that the prevalence of GAD was significantly high in Chinese primary care patients as compared to our general population. GAD was strongly correlated with MD and health-seeking behaviors. Integration of a routine GAD screening regime merits serious consideration as greater effort to screen, diagnose and treat GAD patients in the primary care is called for.