The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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Review Meta Analysis
Case identification of depression in patients with chronic physical health problems: a diagnostic accuracy meta-analysis of 113 studies.
Depression is more likely in patients with chronic physical illness, and is associated with increased rates of disability and mortality. Effective treatment of depression may reduce morbidity and mortality. The use of two stem questions for case finding in diabetes and coronary heart disease is advocated in the Quality and Outcomes Framework, and has become normalised into primary care. ⋯ Assessing both validity and ease of use, the two stem questions are the preferred method. However, clinicians should not rely on the two-questions approach alone, but should be confident to engage in a more detailed clinical assessment of patients who score positively.