Obesity in individuals with schizophrenia: a case controlled study in Scotland.

Background: Despite extensive clinical concern about rates of obesity in patients with schizophrenia, there is little evidence of the extent of this problem at a population level.

Aims: To estimate levels of obesity in a national population sample by comparing patients with schizophrenia with matched controls.

Method: We calculated levels of obesity for each patient with schizophrenia from the national Primary Care Clinical Informatics Unit database (n=4658) matched with age, gender and neighbourhood controls.

'Doing the right thing': factors influencing GP prescribing of antidepressants and prescribed doses.

Background: Antidepressant prescribing continues to increase, with 5-16% of adults receiving antidepressants annually. Total prescribing growth is due in part to increased long-term use, greater selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) use and the use of higher SSRI doses. Evidence does not support routine use of higher SSRI doses for depression treatment, and factors influencing the use of such doses are not well known.

Patient factors associated with SSRI dose for depression treatment in general practice: a primary care cross sectional study.

Background: Antidepressant prescribing continues to rise. Increased long-term prescribing and higher doses are contributing to current growth; however, patient factors associated with the use of higher doses remain unknown. This study's aim was to investigate patient factors associated with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) prescribed daily dose for depression treatment in general practice.