Effects of a visiting service for older widowed individuals: a randomized clinical trial.

The loss of the partner is an important risk factor for developing serious psychological problems. In this study the authors examined the effect of the visiting service on the mental health and quality of life of older widowed individuals. They conducted a pragmatic randomized trial.

Early intervention in panic: pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Background: Many people suffer from subthreshold and mild panic disorder and are at risk of developing more severe panic disorder.

Aims: This study (trial registration: ISRCTN33407455) was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an early group intervention based on cognitive-behavioural principles to reduce panic disorder symptomatology.

Method: Participants with subthreshold or mild panic disorder were recruited from the general population and randomised to the intervention (n = 109) or a waiting-list control group (n = 108).

Preventing panic disorder: cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a pragmatic randomised trial.

Background: Panic disorder affects many people, is associated with a formidable disease burden, and imposes costs on society. The annual influx of new cases of panic disorder is substantial. From the public health perspective it may therefore be a sound policy to reduce the influx of new cases, to maintain the quality of life in many people, and to avoid the economic costs associated with the full-blown disorder.

Effects and feasibility of a preventive intervention in sub-threshold and mild panic disorder: Results of a pilot study.

Background: Panic disorder (PD) is a serious DSM-IV axis I disorder affecting up to 3% of the adult population each year. It is associated with a large burden of disease and extensive economic costs. This study aims to examine the effects and feasibility of the 'Don't Panic' course, a preventive cognitive behavioural intervention in sub-threshold and mild PD.

Early intervention in panic: randomized controlled trial and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Background: Panic disorder (PD) is a common, severe and persistent mental disorder, associated with a high degree of distress and occupational and social disability. A substantial proportion of the population experiences subthreshold and mild PD and is at risk of developing a chronic PD. A promising intervention, aimed at preventing panic disorder onset and reducing panic symptoms, is the 'Don't Panic' course.

Cost-utility of a visiting service for older widowed individuals: randomised trial.

Background: Despite a growing understanding of the effectiveness of bereavement interventions and the groups that benefit most from them, we know little about the cost-effectiveness of bereavement interventions.

Methods: We conducted a cost-utility analysis alongside a randomized clinical trial on a visiting service for older widowed individuals (n=110) versus care as usual (CAU; n=106). The visiting service is a selective bereavement intervention that offers social support to lonely widows and widowers by a trained volunteer.

Cost-effectiveness of preventing depression in primary care patients: randomised trial.

Background: Little is known about the cost-effectiveness of preventing mental disorders.

Aims: To study the cost-effectiveness of care as usual plus minimal contact psychotherapy relative to usual care alone in preventing depressive disorder.

Method: An economic evaluation was conducted alongside a randomised clinical trial.

Minimal-contact psychotherapy for sub-threshold depression in primary care. Randomised trial.

Background: Sub-threshold depression is a prognostic variable for major depression. Interventions in sub-threshold depression may prevent the onset of new cases of major depression.

Aims: To examine the effects of minimal-contact psychotherapy in primary care patients with sub-threshold depression on the onset of major depression, on the reduction in depressive symptoms and on health-related quality of life.

Reliability of the ICD-10 classification of adverse familial and environmental factors.

Background: The tenth revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) contains a number of categories and guidelines for coding different types of adverse familial and environmental situations. These categories have been selected on the basis of empirical evidence that the adverse situations might represent important psychiatric risk factors. Prior studies, using written case vignettes or video- or audiotaped semi-structured interviews, showed that the interrater reliability of these classifications is satisfactory.