The association between chronic illness, multimorbidity and depressive symptoms in an Australian primary care cohort

JM Gunn; DR Ayton; K Densley; JF Pallant; P Chondros; HE Herrman; CF Dowrick

Journal article

The association between chronic illness, multimorbidity and depressive symptoms in an Australian primary care cohort

JM Gunn, DR Ayton, K Densley, JF Pallant, P Chondros, HE Herrman, CF Dowrick

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Published : 2012

DOI: 10.1007/s00127-010-0330-z

Abstract

Purpose To assess the link between multimorbidity, type of chronic physical health problems and depressive symptoms Method The study was a cross-sectional postal survey conducted in 30 General Practices in Victoria, Australia as part of the diamond longitudinal study. Participants included 7,620 primary care attendees; 66% were females; age range from 18 to 76 years (mean = 51years SD = 14); 81% were born in Australia; 64% were married and 67% lived in an urban area. The main outcome measures include the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and a study-specific self-report check list of 12 common chronic physical health problems. Results The prevalence of probable depres..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Jane Gunn Author

Konstancja Densley Author

Patty Chondros Author

Helen Herrman Author

Related Projects (3)

Diagnosis, Management and Outcomes of Depression in Primary care (DIAMOND) a longitudinal study

Depression is the single largest cause of disability for people in Australia. It is mainly managed in general practice, yet many people expe..

The diamond cohort study- examining depressive symptoms in primary care

Depression is the single largest cause of disability for people in Australia. It is mainly managed in general practice-primary care, yet man..

The diamond cohort study - long term outcomes of depressive symptoms in primary care

The diamond study follows what happens to almost 800 people with depressive symptoms whom attend general practice for care over 5 years of t..

Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council

Funding Acknowledgements

The diamond study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (ID 299869, 454463 & 566511) and the Victorian Centre for Excellence in Depression and Related Disorders, an initiative between beyondblue and the Victorian Government. Neither funding body had a role in study design; the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; the writing of the manuscript; or the decision to submit this manuscript for publication. The listed authors submit this paper on behalf of the diamond project team, including the investigators and researchers involved in the study: A/Professor Kelsey Hegarty, Dr Grant Blashki, Dr Gail Gilchrist, Professor Michael Kyrios, Professor Dimity Pond, Ms Vanessa Madden, Dr David Pierce, Ms Maria Potiriadis, Ms Melina Ramp, Dr Lena Sanci, Dr Jane Sims, Ms Donna Southern, and the casual research staff. We are grateful to the thirty dedicated GPs, their patients and practice staff for making this research possible.