Healthcare utilization in general practice before and after psychological treatment: a follow-up data linkage study in primary care.

Objective: Literature suggests that serious mental health problems increase the use of health services and psychological interventions can reduce this effect. This study investigates whether this effect is also found in primary care patients with less serious mental health problems.

Design/setting: Routine electronic health records (EHR) from a representative sample of 128 general practices were linked to patient files from 150 primary care psychologists participating in the NIVEL Primary Care Database, using a trusted third party.

Outcomes for depression and anxiety in primary care and details of treatment: a naturalistic longitudinal study.

Background: There is little evidence as to whether or not guideline concordant care in general practice results in better clinical outcomes for people with anxiety and depression. This study aims to determine possible associations between guideline concordant care and clinical outcomes in general practice patients with depression and anxiety, and identify patient and treatment characteristics associated with clinical improvement.

Methods: This study forms part of the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA).

[Appropriate care for anxiety and depression].

Objective: To evaluate care received for anxiety and depression, to identify which patient-, GP- and practice factors obstruct delivery of care in accordance with Dutch College of General Practitioners' (NHG) practice guidelines, and to evaluate the costs and effects of guideline-concordant care.

Design: Descriptive study.

Methods: During the baseline assessment of the Netherlands study of depression and anxiety--which has followed a large number of adults with and without psychiatric complaints since 2004--various questionnaires and diagnostic interviews were completed.

Patient factors associated with guideline-concordant treatment of anxiety and depression in primary care.

Objective: To identify associations of patient characteristics (predisposing, enabling and need factors) with guideline-concordant care for anxiety and depression in primary care.

Design: Analysis of data from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA).

Participants: Seven hundred and twenty-one patients with a current anxiety or depressive disorder, recruited from 67 general practitioners (GPs), were included.

Primary care patients with anxiety and depression: need for care from the patient's perspective.

Background: Many anxiety and depression patients receive no care, resulting in unnecessary suffering and high costs. Specific beliefs and the absence of a perceived need for care are major reasons for not receiving care. This study aims to determine the specific perceived need for care in primary care patients with anxiety and depression, and examine to what extent these different needs are met.

Receiving treatment for common mental disorders.

Objective: Anxiety and depressive disorders are widely prevalent, but patients are only treated in a minority of cases. In this study, the explanation of receiving mental health treatment is sought in predisposing and enabling characteristics and indicators for objective and self-perceived need.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of data collected in the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA) among 743 persons with an anxiety and/or depression diagnosis as assessed by the CIDI.

Health beliefs and perceived need for mental health care of anxiety and depression--the patients' perspective explored.

Patients' illness representations and beliefs about treatment for depression and anxiety, as well as their perceived needs, are important for treatment. A systematic review was conducted of 71 studies describing the beliefs or perceived needs of patients and non-patients. Patients give multi-dimensional explanations for depression and see both psychological and medication treatment as helpful.

Low relationship satisfaction and high partner involvement predict sexual problems of women with fibromyalgia.

To examine the predictive potential of relationship variables on sexual functioning in women with fibromyalgia, we instructed 63 women (age 21-54 years) to fill out several questionnaires. Low relationship satisfaction was the strongest and most-frequent predictor of problematic sexual functioning. In addition, more fatigue and--only after taking account of relationship satisfaction--more active engagement (i.