Biomedical subjects

Daniel E Ford

Publications and source records attributed to Daniel E Ford.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

Depression and C-reactive protein in US adults: data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: The biological mechanisms by which depression might increase risk of cardiovascular disease are not clear. Inflammation may be a key element in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Our objective was to determine the association between major depression and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level in a nationally representative cohort. METHODS: We estimated the odds of elevated CRP level (>0.21 mg/mL) associated with depression in 6914 noninstitutionalized men and women (age, 18-39 years) from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). RESULTS: The prevalence of lifetime major depression was 5.7% for men and 11.7% for women. The prevalence of elevated CRP level was 13.7% for men and 27.3% for women. A history of major depression was associated with elevated CRP level (odds ratio [OR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-2.24). The association between depression and CRP was much stronger among men than among women. Results were adjusted for age, African American race, body mass index, total cholesterol, log triglycerides, diabetes, systolic blood pressure, smoking status, alcohol use, estrogen use in women, aspirin use, ibuprofen use, and self-reported health status. Compared with men without a history of depression, CRP levels were higher among men who had a more recent (within 1 year) episode of depression (adjusted OR, 3.00; 95% CI, 1.39-6.48) and who had recurrent (>or=2 episodes) depression (adjusted OR, 3.55; 95% CI, 1.55-8.14). CONCLUSION: Major depression is strongly associated with increased levels of CRP among men and could help explain the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with depression in men.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Incident hypertension associated with depression in the Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment area follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the role of depression as a specific risk factor for hypertension. METHODS: This study analyzed the prospective data in the Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) Follow-up Study (n=1920), a longitudinal population-based study of mental illness in East Baltimore. Incident cases of hypertension as assessed by self-report (n=148) in 1993 were compared to the remaining cohort without hypertension (n=901) across three waves of ECA interviews (1981, 1982, 1993). Depression and related symptoms were measured at baseline (1981) by the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) and categorized as dysphoria, dysthymia, or major depressive episode (MDE) according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) III criteria. RESULTS: Individuals with a major depressive episode compared to those who reported never having dysphoria had a marginally significant increased risk for hypertension (Odds Ratio (OR)=2.16; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) (0.94,4.98)) after adjustment for age, gender, race, body mass index, Nam-Powers socioeconomic score, alcohol usage, smoking, exercise, diabetes status, and number of general medical visits. MDE reported to have begun more than a year before the baseline measurement was associated with an increased risk for incident hypertension (Adjusted OR=3.67, 95% CI (1.25,10.79). LIMITATIONS: Potential misclassification of self-reported hypertension outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the data are based on self-report of hypertension, these findings suggest that depression may be an independent risk factor for hypertension particularly for those with recurrent episodes or a long term history of the disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Prospective association between hypotension and idiopathic chronic fatigue.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is an association between hypotension and incident cases of idiopathic chronic fatigue. DESIGN: A prospective study. SETTING: Johns Hopkins Precursors Study. PARTICIPANTS: Medical students (n = 876) in graduating classes from 1948 to 1964. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: 'Easy fatigability' reported by participants at 5- or 10-year follow-up after graduation. RESULTS: The unadjusted risk in women was 5.0 (95% exact confidence interval = 1.4 to 17.4) and in men was 1.7 (95% exact confidence interval = 0.8, to 3.5). CONCLUSION: These preliminary findings suggest that hypotension may be a risk factor for the development of idiopathic chronic fatigue in women.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Association of sleep disturbance with chronicity and remission of alcohol dependence: data from a population-based prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the association of three types of self-reported sleep disturbances (insomnia, hypersomnia, and sleep disturbance caused by worry) among individuals with chronic and remitted alcohol dependence, using prospectively gathered data from a population-based sample. METHODS: Probability samples of area residents were selected by census tracks and households in Baltimore, MD, in 1981, as part of the Epidemiologic Catchment Area program (n = 3481). Between 1993 and 1996, the original cohort was traced, and 73% of the survivors were re-interviewed (n = 1920). Three groups for alcohol dependence status were identified: (1) chronic, (2) remitted, and (3) no lifetime or current history of dependence. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between alcohol dependence status for each type of sleep disturbance. RESULTS: Of the 248 individuals with alcohol dependence, most had achieved remission of dependence by the time of the median 13-year follow-up interview (n = 211). A total of 37 met criteria for chronic dependence. After holding constant potential confounders (age, sex, race, educational level, marital status, psychiatric and illicit drug disorder history, health services use, and age of onset of first alcohol-related problem), we found that chronic dependence was associated with insomnia (odds ratio = 2.60; 95% confidence interval = 1.11-6.08; p = 0.03), relative to those without a history of dependence. Remitted dependence was not associated with sleep disturbance in the models adjusted for covariates. In supplemental analyses, we assessed the association of drinking status with alcohol dependence remission. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with persistent alcohol dependence have greater odds of insomnia than those whose alcohol dependence remits. The need for prospectively gathered data from community-based samples to assess further the temporal relationships of sleep disturbance, alcohol dependence, and alcohol consumption level is discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

What do physicians tell patients about themselves? A qualitative analysis of physician self-disclosure.

OBJECTIVE: Physician self-disclosure (PSD) has been alternatively described as a boundary violation or a means to foster trust and rapport with patients. We analyzed a series of physician self-disclosure statements to inform the current controversy. DESIGN: Qualitative analysis of all PSD statements identified using the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS) during 1,265 audiotaped office visits. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twenty-four physicians and 1,265 of their patients. MAIN RESULTS: Some form of PSD occurred in 195/1,265 (15.4%) of routine office visits. In some visits, disclosure occurred more than once; thus, there were 242 PSD statements available for analysis. PSD statements fell into the following categories: reassurance (n = 71), counseling (n = 60), rapport building (n = 55), casual (n = 31), intimate (n = 14), and extended narratives (n = 11). Reassurance disclosures indicated the physician had the same experience as the patient ("I've used quite a bit of that medicine myself"). Counseling disclosures seemed intended to guide action ("I just got my flu shot"). Rapport-building disclosures were either humorous anecdotes or statements of empathy ("I know I'd be nervous, too"). Casual disclosures were short statements that had little obvious connection to the patient's condition ("I wish I could sleep sitting up"). Intimate disclosures refer to private revelations ("I cried a lot with my divorce, too") and extended narratives were extremely long and had no relation to the patient's condition. CONCLUSIONS: Physician self-disclosure encompasses complex and varied communication behaviors. Self-disclosing statements that are self-preoccupied or intimate are rare. When debating whether physicians ought to reveal their personal experiences to patients, it is important for researchers to be more specific about the types of statements physicians should or should not make.

Counseling↗

PubMed2004

Is physician self-disclosure related to patient evaluation of office visits?

CONTEXT: Physician self-disclosure has been viewed either positively or negatively, but little is known about how patients respond to physician self-disclosure. OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible relationship of physician self-disclosure to patient satisfaction. DESIGN: Routine office visits were audiotaped and coded for physician self-disclosure using the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS). Physician self-disclosure was defined as a statement describing the physician's personal experience that has medical and/or emotional relevance for the patient. We stratified our analysis by physician specialty and compared patient satisfaction following visits in which physician self-disclosure did or did not occur. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N= 1,265) who visited 59 primary care physicians and 65 surgeons. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Patient satisfaction following the visit. RESULTS: Physician self-disclosure occurred in 17% (102/589) of primary care visits and 14% (93/676) of surgical visits. Following visits in which a primary care physician self-disclosed, fewer patients reported feelings of warmth/friendliness (37% vs 52%; P =.008) and reassurance/comfort (42% vs 55%; P =.027), and fewer reported being very satisfied with the visit (74% vs 83%; P =.031). Following visits in which a surgeon self-disclosed, more patients reported feelings of warmth/friendliness (60% vs 45%; P =.009) and reassurance/comfort (59% vs 47%; P=.044), and more reported being very satisfied with the visit (88% vs 75%; P =.007). After adjustment for patient characteristics, length of the visit, and other physician communication behaviors, primary care patients remained less satisfied (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24 to 0.81) and surgical patients more satisfied (AOR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.12 to 4.50) after visits in which the physician self-disclosed. CONCLUSIONS: Physician self-disclosure is significantly associated with higher patient satisfaction ratings for surgical visits and lower patient satisfaction ratings for primary care visits. Further study is needed to explore these intriguing findings and to define the circumstances under which physician self-disclosure is either well or poorly received.

Female↗

PubMed2004

Physical functioning, depression, and preferences for treatment at the end of life: the Johns Hopkins Precursors Study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between worsening physical function and depression and preferences for life-sustaining treatment. DESIGN: Mailed survey of older physicians. SETTING: Longitudinal cohort study of medical students in the graduating classes from 1948 to 1964 at Johns Hopkins University. PARTICIPANTS: Physicians who completed the life-sustaining treatment questionnaire in 1998 and provided information about health status in 1992 and 1998 (n=645, 83% of respondents to the 1998 questionnaire; mean age 68). MEASUREMENTS: Preferences for life-sustaining treatment, assessed using a checklist questionnaire in response to a standard vignette. RESULTS: Of 645 physicians, 11% experienced clinically significant decline in physical functioning, and 18% experienced worsening depression over the 6-year period. Physicians with clinically significant functional decline were more likely (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.14, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.18-3.88) to prefer high-burden life-sustaining treatment. Worsening depression substantially modified the association between declining functioning and treatment preferences. Physicians with declining functioning and worsening depression were more likely (AOR=5.33, 95% CI=1.60-17.8) to prefer high-burden treatment than respondents without declining function or worsening depression. CONCLUSION: This study calls attention to the need for clinical reassessment of preferences for potentially life-sustaining treatment when health has declined to prevent underestimating the preferences of older patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2004

Sleep disturbance and risk for alcohol-related problems.

OBJECTIVE: Using prospective data, the authors assessed the risk of alcohol-related problems among individuals with self-reported sleep disturbances because of worry. METHOD: As part of the Epidemiologic Catchment Area program, a probability sample of Baltimore residents selected by census tracts and households completed a baseline interview in 1981. Between 1993 and 1996, the original Baltimore cohort was traced. Of the 2,633 survivors, a total of 73% were reinterviewed. After excluding individuals with alcohol-related problems or a current or prior history of alcohol abuse and/or dependence at the time of the 1981 interview, the authors identified a cohort of 1,537 individuals who were at risk for problem drinking at the time of the follow-up interview, a median of 12.6 years after the baseline interview. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between sleep disturbance because of worry and the risk for incident reports of alcohol problems. RESULTS: Survey respondents with sleep disturbances because of worry at the time of the baseline interview had a twofold higher risk for developing an alcohol-related problem, relative to those without these sleep disturbances (odds ratio=2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.31-4.09), with adjustment for selected demographic and clinical variables. Sleep disturbance because of worry predicted the development of alcohol problems among respondents with lifetime anxiety disorders and lifetime dysphoria (odds ratio=3.82, 95% CI=1.56-9.38, and odds ratio=2.71, 95% CI=1.25-5.91, respectively), but not among those without a history of anxiety disorders or dysphoria. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disturbances because of worry may increase risk for alcohol-related problems. Risk is highest for those with sleep disturbance and co-occurring anxiety disorders or dysphoria.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Depressive symptoms and the risk of type 2 diabetes: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine whether depressive symptoms predict type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed data on depressive symptoms (including recent fatigue, sleep disturbance, feelings of hopelessness, loss of libido, and increased irritability) in a longitudinal, biracial cohort study of 11,615 initially nondiabetic adults aged 48-67 years, who were subsequently followed for 6 years for the development of type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: At baseline, depressive symptoms were positively associated with BMI, fasting insulin, systolic blood pressure, caloric intake, physical inactivity, and current smoking (all P < 0.05). In prospective analyses, after adjusting for age, race, sex, and education, individuals in the highest quartile of depressive symptoms had a 63% increased risk of developing diabetes compared with those in the lowest quartile (relative hazard [RH] 1.63, 95% CI 1.31-2.02). This relation persisted after adjustment for stress-associated lifestyle factors (smoking, physical activity, caloric intake, and adiposity) (1.28, 1.02-1.60) and metabolic covariates (fasting insulin and glucose, lipids, blood pressure, and adiposity) (1.38, 1.10-1.73). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, depressive symptoms predicted incident type 2 diabetes. This relation is only partially explained by demographic, metabolic, and lifestyle factors. Possible neuroendocrine mediators of the stress-obesity-diabetes relationship require further evaluation in prospective cohort studies that use an established tool to assess depression and incorporate neurohormonal measurements.

Arteriosclerosis↗

PubMed2004

Experiences of patients who were early adopters of electronic communication with their physician: satisfaction, benefits, and concerns.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences of patients who were early adopters of e-mail communication with their physicians. METHODS: Patients' experiences were assessed with an Internetbased survey of 1881 individuals and in-depth telephone follow-up interviews with 56 individuals who used e-mail to communicate with providers. Two investigators qualitatively coded interview comments independently, with differences adjudicated by group consensus. RESULTS: A total of 311 (16.5%) of the 1881 individuals reported using electronic mail to communicate with their physicians. Compared with the population-based Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, users of e-mail with physicians were twice as likely to have a college education, were younger, were less frequently ethnic minorities, and more frequently reported fair/poor health. Among the 311 patients who used e-mail with their physicians, the most frequent topics were results of laboratory testing and prescription renewals. However, many of the 311 users (21%) also reported using asynchronous e-mail inappropriately to convey urgent or sensitive issues (suicidality, chest pain, etc). Almost all (95%) perceived that e-mail was more efficient than the telephone. Important benefits uncovered from the interviews were that some patients felt more emboldened to ask questions in e-mail compared with face-to-face communication with doctors, and liked the ability to save the e-mail messages. Users also expressed concerns about privacy. CONCLUSION: Patients that use electronic communication with their physicians find the communication efficient for disease management. Further patient education about inappropriate use of e-mail for urgent issues is needed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Patient-centered communication, ratings of care, and concordance of patient and physician race.

BACKGROUND: African-American patients who visit physicians of the same race rate their medical visits as more satisfying and participatory than do those who see physicians of other races. Little research has investigated the communication process in race-concordant and race-discordant medical visits. OBJECTIVES: To compare patient-physician communication in race-concordant and race-discordant visits and examine whether communication behaviors explain differences in patient ratings of satisfaction and participatory decision making. DESIGN: Cohort study with follow-up using previsit and postvisit surveys and audiotape analysis. SETTING: 16 urban primary care practices. PATIENTS: 252 adults (142 African-American patients and 110 white patients) receiving care from 31 physicians (of whom 18 were African-American and 13 were white). MEASUREMENTS: Audiotape measures of patient-centeredness, patient ratings of physicians' participatory decision-making styles, and overall satisfaction. RESULTS: Race-concordant visits were longer (2.15 minutes [95% CI, 0.60 to 3.71]) and had higher ratings of patient positive affect (0.55 point, [95% CI, 0.04 to 1.05]) compared with race-discordant visits. Patients in race-concordant visits were more satisfied and rated their physicians as more participatory (8.42 points [95% CI, 3.23 to 13.60]). Audiotape measures of patient-centered communication behaviors did not explain differences in participatory decision making or satisfaction between race-concordant and race-discordant visits. CONCLUSIONS: Race-concordant visits are longer and characterized by more patient positive affect. Previous studies link similar communication findings to continuity of care. The association between race concordance and higher patient ratings of care is independent of patient-centered communication, suggesting that other factors, such as patient and physician attitudes, may mediate the relationship. Until more evidence is available regarding the mechanisms of this relationship and the effectiveness of intercultural communication skills programs, increasing ethnic diversity among physicians may be the most direct strategy to improve health care experiences for members of ethnic minority groups.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Confronting depression and suicide in physicians: a consensus statement.

OBJECTIVE: To encourage treatment of depression and prevention of suicide in physicians by calling for a shift in professional attitudes and institutional policies to support physicians seeking help. PARTICIPANTS: An American Foundation for Suicide Prevention planning group invited 15 experts on the subject to evaluate the state of knowledge about physician depression and suicide and barriers to treatment. The group assembled for a workshop held October 6-7, 2002, in Philadelphia, Pa. EVIDENCE: The planning group worked with each participant on a preworkshop literature review in an assigned area. Abstracts of presentations and key publications were distributed to participants before the workshop. After workshop presentations, participants were assigned to 1 of 2 breakout groups: (1) physicians in their role as patients and (2) medical institutions and professional organizations. The groups identified areas that required further research, barriers to treatment, and recommendations for reform. CONSENSUS PROCESS: This consensus statement emerged from a plenary session during which each work group presented its recommendations. The consensus statement was circulated to and approved by all participants. CONCLUSIONS: The culture of medicine accords low priority to physician mental health despite evidence of untreated mood disorders and an increased burden of suicide. Barriers to physicians' seeking help are often punitive, including discrimination in medical licensing, hospital privileges, and professional advancement. This consensus statement recommends transforming professional attitudes and changing institutional policies to encourage physicians to seek help. As barriers are removed and physicians confront depression and suicidality in their peers, they are more likely to recognize and treat these conditions in patients, including colleagues and medical students.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Outpatient prescriptions for atypical antipsychotics for African Americans, Hispanics, and whites in the United States.

BACKGROUND: New antipsychotic medications introduced during the past decade-clozapine (1990), risperidone (1994), olanzapine (1996), and quetiapine fumarate (1997)-offer a decrease in serious adverse effects compared with traditional antipsychotic medications, but at up to 10 times the cost. We examined whether ethnic minorities achieve access to these new advanced treatments. METHODS: Using national data on physician office and hospital outpatient department visits from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 1992 through 2000, we selected all patient visits at which an antipsychotic medication (atypical or traditional) was prescribed or continued and the patient was aged between 18 and 69 years. We performed a series of cross-sectional logistic regression analyses to determine the association of ethnic group and receipt of an atypical antipsychotic prescription over time, adjusted for potential confounders such as age, diagnosis, and health insurance type. RESULTS: Antipsychotic medication was prescribed or continued in 5032 visits; 33% of overall visits involved an atypical antipsychotic prescription. During 1992 to 1994, the adjusted relative odds of receipt of an atypical antipsychotic prescription for African Americans was 0.50 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26-0.96) and for Hispanics was 0.43 (95% CI, 0.16-1.18) compared with whites. During 1995 to 1997, the odds of receipt of a prescription for atypical antipsychotics increased for African Americans (odds ratio [OR], 0.69; 95% CI, 0.54-0.85) and for Hispanics (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.65-1.07) compared with whites; and during 1998 to 2000, the relative odds continued to increase for African Americans (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.78-0.97) and for Hispanics (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.92-1.16) compared with whites. For visits specified for psychotic disorders, receipt of atypical antipsychotics was still lower for African Americans by 1998 to 2000 (adjusted OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.61-0.89) compared with whites, while for Hispanics the relative odds was equivalent (adjusted OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.87-1.19). CONCLUSION: Early gaps between ethnic groups in receipt of atypical antipsychotic prescriptions decreased throughout the 1990s but persisted for African Americans with psychotic disorders.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Life-sustaining treatments: what do physicians want and do they express their wishes to others?

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether older physicians have discussed their preferences for medical care at the end of life with their physicians, whether they have established an advance directive, and what life-sustaining treatment they wish in the event of incapacity to make these decisions for themselves. DESIGN: Mailed survey to a cohort of physicians. SETTING: Physicians who were medical students at the Johns Hopkins University in graduating classes from 1946 to 1964. PARTICIPANTS: Physicians who completed the advance directive questionnaire (mean age 68). MEASUREMENTS: Questionnaires were sent out to known surviving physicians of the Precursors Study, an on-going study that began in 1946, asking physicians about their preferences for life-sustaining treatments. RESULTS: Of 999 physicians who were sent the survey, 765 (77%) responded. Forty-six percent of the physicians felt that their own doctors were unaware of their treatment preferences or were not sure, and of these respondents, 59% had no intention of discussing their wishes with their doctors within the next year. In contrast, 89% thought their families were probably or definitely aware of their preferences. Sixty-four percent reported that they had established an advance directive. Compared with physicians without advance directives, physicians who established an advance directive were more likely to believe that their doctors (odds ratio (OR) = 3.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.49-4.69) or family members (OR = 9.58, 95% CI = 5.33-17.23) were aware of their preferences for end-of-life care and were more likely to refuse treatments than those without advance directives. CONCLUSION: This survey of physicians calls attention to the gap between preferences for medical care at the end of life and expressing wishes to others through discussion and advance directives, even among physicians.

Advance Directives↗

PubMed2003

Cardiovascular health and depression.

Research has shown that depression increases the likelihood that otherwise healthy people will develop ischemic heart disease (IHD) and worsens the prognosis of patients who already have IHD. Moreover, concerns about safety (e.g., cardiac side effects, drug-drug interactions) have caused physicians to be hesitant about using antidepressant agents in patients with IHD. This article is based on a recent roundtable of experts who met to discuss risk, diagnosis, and treatment options for depression in patients with IHD. This article reviews clinical and epidemiological studies that have described a link between depression and the subsequent development of IHD and have examined the role of depression as a predictor of cardiac events in patients with existing IHD. The article addresses the issue of whether depression can be safely and efficaciously treated both in patients with stable IHD and in those with acute coronary syndromes. The authors discuss safety issues related to the potential for interactions between antidepressants and cardiovascular medications, the use of nonpharmacologic treatment options such as psychosocial interventions, and the effect of antidepressant therapy on quality of life in patients with IHD. The article concludes with practical clinical guidance concerning the management of depression in patients who have recently experienced myocardial infarction.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

The acceptability of treatment for depression among African-American, Hispanic, and white primary care patients.

BACKGROUND: Ethnic minority patients are less likely than white patients to receive guideline-concordant care for depression. It is uncertain whether racial and ethnic differences exist in patient beliefs, attitudes, and preferences for treatment. METHODS: A telephone survey was conducted of 829 adult patients (659 non-Hispanic whites, 97 African Americans, 73 Hispanics) recruited from primary care offices across the United States who reported 1 week or more of depressed mood or loss of interest within the past month and who met criteria for Major Depressive Episode in the past year. Within this cohort, we examined differences among African Americans, Hispanics, and whites in acceptability of antidepressant medication and acceptability of individual counseling. RESULTS: African Americans (adjusted OR, 0.30; 95% CI 0.19-0.48) and Hispanics (adjusted OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.26-0.76) had lower odds than white persons of finding antidepressant medications acceptable. African Americans had somewhat lower odds (adjusted OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.35-1.12), and Hispanics had higher odds (adjusted OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.08-9.89) of finding counseling acceptable than white persons. Some negative beliefs regarding treatment were more prevalent among ethnic minorities; however adjustment for these beliefs did not explain differences in acceptability of treatment for depression. CONCLUSIONS: African Americans are less likely than white persons to find antidepressant medication acceptable. Hispanics are less likely to find antidepressant medication acceptable, and more likely to find counseling acceptable than white persons. Racial and ethnic differences in beliefs about treatment modalities were found, but did not explain differences in the acceptability of depression treatment. Clinicians should consider patients' cultural and social context when negotiating treatment decisions for depression. Future research should identify other attitudinal barriers to depression care among ethnic minority patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Prevalence and correlates of obesity in a community sample of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.

Individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) have a preponderance of weight problems, possibly even greater than the obesity epidemic in the general population. Although atypical antipsychotics cause weight gain, their contribution to obesity has not been characterized in a community setting where individuals may take multiple psychotropics associated with weight gain. Using survey information including measured height and weight from a random sample of Maryland Medicaid recipients with SPMI, we compared obesity prevalence to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) sample and a Maryland sample (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) of the general population adjusted to SPMI demographic characteristics. We investigated correlates of obesity in the SPMI sample. The results indicate that both men and especially women with SPMI had a higher prevalence of obesity than the general population; this portends substantial health implications. A fourfold association between atypical antipsychotics and prevalent obesity was found in men but not in women; further work should clarify mechanisms of obesity in the SPMI.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Primary care patients with depression are less accepting of treatment than those seen by mental health specialists.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether depressed patients treated exclusively in primary care report less need for care and less acceptability of treatment options than those depressed patients treated in the specialty mental health setting after up to 6 months of treatment. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Forty-five community primary care practices. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 881 persons with major depression who had received mental health services in the previous 6 months and who enrolled in 3 of the 4 Quality Improvement for Depression Collaboration Studies. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Patients were categorized into 1 of 2 groups: 1) having received mental health services exclusively from a primary care provider (45%), or 2) having received any services from a mental health specialist (55%) in the previous 6 months. Compared with patients who received care from mental health specialists, patients who received mental health services exclusively from primary care providers had 2.7-fold the odds (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6 to 4.4) of reporting that no treatment was definitely acceptable and had 2.4-fold the odds (95% CI, 1.5 to 3.9) of reporting that evidence-based treatment options (antidepressant medication) were definitely not acceptable. These results were adjusted for demographic, social/behavioral, depression severity, and economic factors using multiple logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with depression treated exclusively by primary care providers have attitudes and beliefs more averse to care than those seen by mental health specialists. These differences in attitudes and beliefs may contribute to lower quality depression care observed in comparisons of primary care and specialty mental health providers.

Chi-Square Distribution↗