Do rates of depression vary by level of alcohol misuse in Australian general practice?
Breanne Hobden A B E , Jamie Bryant A B , Rob Sanson-Fisher A B , Christopher Oldmeadow C D and Mariko Carey A BA Health Behaviour Research Group, HMRI Building, University of Newcastle, NSW 208, Australia.
B Priority Research Centre in Health Behaviour and Hunter Medical Research Institute, HMRI Building, University of Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia.
C Public Health Stream, Hunter Medical Research Institute, HMRI Building, NSW 2308, Australia.
D Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Newcastle, HMRI Building, University of Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: bree.hobden@newcastle.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 23(3) 263-267 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY16076
Submitted: 31 May 2016 Accepted: 3 November 2016 Published: 12 December 2016
Journal Compilation © La Trobe University 2017 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Abstract
Limited data exist regarding co-occurring alcohol misuse and depression among general practice patients. This study examined the prevalence of depression by level of alcohol misuse, and the sociodemographic factors associated with depression and increased alcohol misuse severity. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 3559 Australian general practice patients. Patients completed their demographic details, the Patient Health Questionnaire (9-item) and the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (Consumption items). The prevalence of alcohol misuse and depression was 6.7%, and depression prevalence varied significantly according to level of alcohol misuse (P < 0.001). Age, gender, Aboriginality and number of chronic diseases were associated with depression and higher levels of alcohol misuse. These findings may assist General Practitioners in identifying those at risk of experiencing co-morbid depression and alcohol use, and aid in effective treatment and referral.
Additional keywords: epidemiologic factors, mental health, primary health care.
References
Aira M, Hartikainen S, Sulkava R (2005) Community prevalence of alcohol use and concomitant use of medication – a source of possible risk in the elderly aged 75 and older? International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 20, 680–685.| Community prevalence of alcohol use and concomitant use of medication – a source of possible risk in the elderly aged 75 and older?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2010) Mental health. Available at http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/1301.0Chapter11082009%E2%80%9310 [Verified 17 November 2016]
Bradley KA, DeBenedetti AF, Volk RJ, Williams EC, Frank D, Kivlahan DR (2007) AUDIT-C as a brief screen for alcohol misuse in primary care. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research 31, 1208–1217.
| AUDIT-C as a brief screen for alcohol misuse in primary care.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Britt H, Miller GC, Henderson J, Bayram C, Harrison C, Valenti L, Wong C, Gordon J, Pollack AJ, Pan Y, Charles J (2014) ‘General Practice Activity in Australia 2013–14: Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH).’ (Sydney University Press: Sydney, NSW, Australia)
Burns L, Teesson M (2002) Alcohol use disorders comorbid with anxiety, depression and drug use disorders: findings from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well Being. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 68, 299–307.
| Alcohol use disorders comorbid with anxiety, depression and drug use disorders: findings from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well Being.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Burns L, Teesson M, Lynskey M (2001) ‘The epidemiology of comorbidity between alcohol use disorders and mental disorders in Australia.’ (National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre: Sydney, NSW, Australia).
Department of Health and Ageing (2008) Comorbidity of mental disorders and substance use: a brief guide for the primary care clinician. Available at http://www.nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/publishing. nsf/Content/FE16C454A782A8AFCA2575BE002044D0/$File/mono71.pdf [Verified 17 November 2016]
Grothues JM, Bischof G, Reinhardt S, Meyer C, John U, Rumpf HJ (2008a) Differences in help seeking rates after brief intervention for alcohol use disorders in general practice patients with and without comorbid anxiety or depressive disorders. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research 17, S74–S77.
| Differences in help seeking rates after brief intervention for alcohol use disorders in general practice patients with and without comorbid anxiety or depressive disorders.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Grothues JM, Bischof G, Reinhardt S, Meyer C, John U, Rumpf HJ (2008b) Effectiveness of brief alcohol interventions for general practice patients with problematic drinking behavior and comorbid anxiety or depressive disorders. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 94, 214–220.
| Effectiveness of brief alcohol interventions for general practice patients with problematic drinking behavior and comorbid anxiety or depressive disorders.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hobden B, Bryant J, Sanson-Fisher R, Oldmeadow C, Carey M (2016) Co-occurring depression and alcohol misuse is under-identified in general practice: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Health Psychology
| Co-occurring depression and alcohol misuse is under-identified in general practice: a cross-sectional study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | [Published online early 25 April 2016]
Hunter E (2007) Disadvantage and discontent: a review of issues relevant to the mental health of rural and remote Indigenous Australians. The Australian Journal of Rural Health 15, 88–93.
| Disadvantage and discontent: a review of issues relevant to the mental health of rural and remote Indigenous Australians.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kaner EF, Beyer F, Dickinson HO, Pienaar E, Campbell F, Schlesinger C, Heather N, Saunders J, Burnand B (2007) Effectiveness of brief alcohol interventions in primary care populations. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 18, CD004148
Karpyak VM, Biernacka J, Geske J, Abulseoud O, Brunner M, Chauhan M, Hall‐Flavin D, Lewis K, Loukianova L, Melnyk G, Onsrud D (2016) Gender‐specific effects of comorbid depression and anxiety on the propensity to drink in negative emotional states. Addiction 111, 1366–1375.
| Gender‐specific effects of comorbid depression and anxiety on the propensity to drink in negative emotional states.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kinder LS, Bryson C, Sun H, Williams E, Bradley K (2009) Alcohol screening scores and all-cause mortality in male Veterans Affairs patients. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 70, 253–260.
| Alcohol screening scores and all-cause mortality in male Veterans Affairs patients.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kroenke K, Spitzer R, Williams J (2001) The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine 16, 606–613.
| The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MrhtVWnsQ%3D%3D&md5=49c09f1b5bc93c1f7fdde4c76bfadca5CAS |
National Health and Medical Research Council (2001) Australian alcohol guidelines: health risks and Benefits. NHMRC, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee (2014) Alcohol and other drug treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Australian National Council on Drugs. Canberra, ACT, Australia.
Rodgers B, Korten AE, Jorm AF, Christensen H, Henderson S, Jacomb PA (2000) Risk factors for depression and anxiety in abstainers, moderate drinkers and heavy drinkers. Addiction 95, 1833–1845.
| Risk factors for depression and anxiety in abstainers, moderate drinkers and heavy drinkers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M7jsFOmtA%3D%3D&md5=4fceae5cf30cb8086a4b5fc98ba7c47cCAS |
Skogen JC, Harvey SB, Henderson M, Stordal E, Mykletun A (2009) Anxiety and depression among abstainers and low-level alcohol consumers. The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study. Addiction 104, 1519–1529.
| Anxiety and depression among abstainers and low-level alcohol consumers. The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Yoong SL, Carey ML, Sanson-Fisher RW, Russell G, Mazza D, Makeham M, Paul CL, Inder KJ, D’Este C (2012) Touch screen computer health assessment in Australian general practice patients: a cross-sectional study protocol. BMJ Open 2, e001405
| Touch screen computer health assessment in Australian general practice patients: a cross-sectional study protocol.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
