Factors influencing short-term effectiveness and efficiency of the care provided by Dutch general practice mental health professionals.

Introduction: This study examined whether factors related to general practice mental health professionals (GP-MHPs), that is, characteristics of the professional, the function, and the care provided, were associated with short-term effectiveness and efficiency of the care provided by GP-MHPs to adults in Dutch general practice.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among 320 adults with anxiety or depressive symptoms who had an intake consultation with GP-MHPs (n = 64). Effectiveness was measured in terms of change in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) 3 months after intake; and efficiency in terms of net monetary benefit (NMB) at 3-month follow-up.

Electrocardiography for the detection of left ventricular hypertrophy in an elderly population with long-standing hypertension in primary care: a secondary analysis of the CHELLO cohort study.

Objectives: To investigate: (1) the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in elderly primary care patients with long-standing asymptomatic hypertension, and (2) the diagnostic value of ECG as a screening tool in the detection of LVH compared with echocardiography in this specific patient population.

Design And Settings: A cross-sectional study in five general practices in the south-east of the Netherlands.

Participants: Patients with primary care-managed hypertension, aged between 60 and 85 years, without known heart failure.

Beta-blockers and depression in elderly hypertension patients in primary care.

Background And Objectives: Previous findings regarding a possible association between beta-blocker use and depression are mixed. To our knowledge there have been no studies investigating the association of beta-blockers with depression in primary care hypertension patients without previous myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between lipophilic beta-blocker use and depression in elderly primary care patients with hypertension.

Age- and gender-specific brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) reference ranges in primary care.

Background: Chronic heart failure is a common disease with a high morbidity and mortality. In primary care, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is used for excluding heart failure. The Dutch and European Society of Cardiology heart failure guidelines apply two BNP cut-off levels without making distinction for gender and age.

Symptoms associated with an abnormal echocardiogram in elderly primary care hypertension patients.

Background: The prevalence and diagnostic value of heart failure symptoms in elderly primary care patients with hypertension is unknown.

Aim: To assess the prevalence, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of symptoms in association with an abnormal echocardiogram.

Design And Setting: Cross-sectional screening study in five general practices in the south-east of the Netherlands.