The point prevalence of depression and associated sociodemographic correlates in the general population of Latvia

Abstract Aim To determine the point prevalence of depression in the general Latvian population and to explore the associated sociodemographic characteristics. Methods The study was part of the cross-sectional survey on the general population on substance use in Latvia in 2011. It consisted of face-to-face interviews of a randomised stratified multi-stage probability sample. In total, 4493 persons were included, aged between 15 and 64. To assess depression, the participants were interviewed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9; a score of ≥10 was defined as indicating the presence of a depressive episode. Socio-demographic, subjective health status and alcohol use were assessed using the…

Validity of the PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 to screen for depression in nationwide primary care population in Latvia

Abstract Background Depression is highly underdiagnosed in primary care settings in Latvia. Screening for depression in primary care is potentially an efficient way to find undetected case s and improve diagnostics. We aimed to validate both a nine-item and two-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9 and PHQ-2) in the Latvian and Russian languages in primary care settings using a representative sample in Latvia. Materials and methods The study was carried out within the framework of the National Research Program BIOMEDICINE to assess the prevalence of mental disorders at 24 primary care facilities. During a 1-week period, all consecutive adult patients were invited to complete the PHQ-9 an…

Naturalistic follow-up study of rehospitalization rates and assigned disability status of patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum psychosis in South East Latvia: preliminary results.

Patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum psychosis (FEP) are at risk of not visiting an out-patient psychiatrist and are assigned disability status within a short period after diagnosis.The aim of this study was to conduct a naturalistic follow-up of FEP patients to explore their use of mental healthcare services and the rate of assigned disability status after FEP.This was the first study in Latvia to include all consecutive patients with FEP admitted to the largest regional hospital in South East Latvia, Daugavpils Psychoneurological Hospital (DPNH). Patients received standard treatment in a real-world environment. The mean follow-up time was 33 months (Min = 20 months, Max = 40…

The Association Between Smoking Status and Depression in the General Population of Latvia

Introduction Tobacco dependence is the most common substance use disorder in people with mental illness. Smoking and depression are firmly associated and both represent major health problems. Aim The aim of the study was to assess association between smoking status and 12-months depression in representative sample of the general Latvian population. Methods The study was a part of health monitoring survey, a collaborative project between Baltic States and Finland, which monitors health related behaviours; the questionnaire included structured interview and depressive module of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Descriptive statistics and binary regression model were applied. …

The 12-month prevalence of depression and health care utilization in the general population of Latvia.

Abstract Background This cross-sectional study aims to assess the 12-month prevalence of major and minor depression in the Latvian population, and to evaluate associated health care utilization. Methods Trained interviewers conducted face-to-face interviews with a multistage stratified probability sample of the Latvian general population, ages 15–64 (n=3003). Participants were interviewed using the depression module of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Self-reported health care utilization and somatic illness were also assessed. Multinomial logistic regressions were applied. Results The 12-month prevalence of major depression was 7.9% (95%CI 7.0–8.9), while for minor depres…

Correlation between the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the mini international neuropsychiatric interview (MINI) items in representative nationwide primary care sample in Latvia

EPA-1513 - Utilization of health care among people with depression in Latvia

Background Depression is highly prevalent and disabling mental disorder, less than one third of all cases receive any treatment, suggesting a remarkable level on unmet needs. Aim The aim of the study was to assess differences in health care utilization among people with depression and those with no symptoms in representative sample of the general Latvian population. Methods The study was a part of the FINBALT health monitoring survey in 2012, a collaborative project between Baltic States and Finland, which monitors health related behaviours; the questionnaire included depression module of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). A total of 3003 15-64 years old persons were …

Depression and its correlation with the risk of cardiovascular mortality in primary care population in Latvia

IntroductionDepression is one of several preventable causes of disability worldwide, with coronary heart disease (CHD) being the largest cause of disability. Depression has been confirmed as a risk factor for CHD.ObjectivesFew studies tried to find an interrelation between depression and a risk of cardiovascular mortality according to systematic coronary risk evaluation (SCORE) chart.AimsThe aim of study was to examine the correlation of depression with the risk of cardiovascular mortality (SCORE).MethodsStudy was conducted in 2015 within the framework of National Research Programme BIOMEDICINE. All patients aged 18 and older at 24 primary care facilities were interviewed with a sociodemogr…

Adaptation and validation of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 to evaluate major depression in a primary care sample in Latvia

Background: Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in primary care settings and is often underdiagnosed and undertreated by general practitioners (GPs). To date, no depression screening instruments have been validated for use in primary care settings in Latvia. The aim of this study was to establish the validity and cutoff score of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) among primary care patients in Latvia. Materials and methods: During a one-week period, all consecutive patients aged 18 years or older visiting their GP of health concerns at 6 primary care settings were invited to complete the PHQ-9 questionnaire in their native language (Latvian or Russian). Criterion v…