Sanket Newale1, Deepak S Bachani2. 1. Medical Advisor. 2. Chief Manager- Medical Services, Abbott Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Abstract
AIM: The study was conducted to understand the demographics, prevalence of co-morbid conditions and treatment modalities of depression. METHODS: A cross-sectional, nationwide observational study was conducted to understand the management pattern of depression in India. Depression was majorly diagnosed with DSM-IV TR criteria. RESULTS: The data of 2276 Indian patients across 18 states were collected through 135 mental health professionals. The study population was predominantly from urban (81.2%) area. The prevalence of uneducated and employed patients in the study was 7.2% and 54.6% respectively. The main co-morbidities observed were diabetes, hypertension, anxiety and insomnia. Overall, escitalopram monotherapy was used in 67.2% patients. Escitalopram was found to be the preferred antidepressant in patients with co-morbid conditions including hypertension and diabetes. Counseling was the most common non-pharmacological therapy practiced. CONCLUSIONS: This large cross sectional study in real life settings demonstrates high prevalence of depression among employed and educated adult Indian patients. Hypertension and diabetes are the two most common co-morbidites in patients with depression. Escitalopram is commonly used and preferred antidepressant in all studied age groups and even in co-morbid depression.
AIM: The study was conducted to understand the demographics, prevalence of co-morbid conditions and treatment modalities of depression. METHODS: A cross-sectional, nationwide observational study was conducted to understand the management pattern of depression in India. Depression was majorly diagnosed with DSM-IV TR criteria. RESULTS: The data of 2276 Indian patients across 18 states were collected through 135 mental health professionals. The study population was predominantly from urban (81.2%) area. The prevalence of uneducated and employed patients in the study was 7.2% and 54.6% respectively. The main co-morbidities observed were diabetes, hypertension, anxiety and insomnia. Overall, escitalopram monotherapy was used in 67.2% patients. Escitalopram was found to be the preferred antidepressant in patients with co-morbid conditions including hypertension and diabetes. Counseling was the most common non-pharmacological therapy practiced. CONCLUSIONS: This large cross sectional study in real life settings demonstrates high prevalence of depression among employed and educated adult Indian patients. Hypertension and diabetes are the two most common co-morbidites in patients with depression. Escitalopram is commonly used and preferred antidepressant in all studied age groups and even in co-morbid depression.