Abstract:
Depression is a major cause of disability worldwide. Screening in at-risk populations is important in identifying those at most need of treatment. Pengpid et al report on high rates of incident and persistent symptoms of depression identified in an epidemiological study in a Thai population and their association with physical comorbidities. However, there are limitations to screening, due to both resource implications and the risk of diagnostic overshadowing. Although screening is useful in providing an overview of the prevalence of depressive symptoms from an epidemiological perspective, there may be justified concerns in translating this approach to clinical settings. This is especially true where the resources to provide further comprehensive assessment and treatment may be inadequate. Clinically there is a need to consider a more complete approach to screening that utilises screening tools embedded in a wider diagnostic approach which allows the detection and management of other confounding conditions.
摘要:
抑郁症是全球残疾的主要原因。在高危人群中进行筛查对于确定最需要治疗的人群很重要。Pengpid等人报告了在泰国人群的流行病学研究中发现的抑郁症的高发生率和持续性症状及其与身体合并症的关系。然而,筛查有局限性,由于资源影响和诊断掩盖的风险。尽管筛查有助于从流行病学角度概述抑郁症状的患病率,将这种方法转化为临床环境可能存在合理的担忧。在提供进一步全面评估和治疗的资源可能不足的情况下尤其如此。临床上需要考虑一种更完整的筛查方法,该方法利用嵌入在更广泛的诊断方法中的筛查工具,该方法允许检测和管理其他混杂条件。