Functional status and well-being of patients with chronic conditions. Results from the Medical Outcomes Study

Enhancing daily functioning and well-being is an increasingly advocated goal in the treatment of patients with chronic conditions. We evaluated the functioning and well-being of 9385 adults at the time of office visits to 362 physicians in three US cities, using brief surveys completed by both patients and physicians. For eight of nine common chronic medical conditions, patients with the condition showed markedly worse physical, role, and social functioning; mental health; health perceptions; and/or bodily pain compared with patients with no chronic conditions. Each condition had a unique profile among the various health components. Hypertension had the least overall impact; heart disease and patient-reported gastrointestinal disorders had the greatest impact. Patients with multiple conditions showed greater decrements in functioning and well-being than those with only one condition. Substantial variations in functioning and well-being within each chronic condition group remain to be explained.     

Service utilization and social morbidity associated with depressive symptoms in the community.

OBJECTIVE--To estimate service utilization and social morbidity in the community associated with depressive symptoms. Estimates were made using an epidemiologic measure, population attributable risk. Population attributable risk is a compound measure reflecting both the morbid risk to an individual with a disorder and the prevalence of the disorder in the community. DESIGN--Epidemiologic survey. PARTICIPANTS--Eighteen thousand five hundred seventy-one adults in the Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study interviewed from a complex random sample in five US communities. OUTCOME MEASURES--Suicide attempts, use of psychoactive medications, self-reported physical and emotional health, time lost from work, and general medical services or use of emergency departments for emotional problems. RESULTS--Major depression-dysthymia (lifetime prevalence, 6.1%) and depressive symptoms (lifetime prevalence, 23.1%) were associated with increased service utilization and social morbidity as measured by the outcome variables. On a population basis, however, as much or more service burden and impairment was associated with depressive symptoms as with the clinical conditions of depression or dysthymia. The equal association results from the greater prevalence of depressive symptoms. Population attributable risk percentages associated with depressive symptoms (not disorder) were as follows: emergency department use (11.8%) or medical consultations for emotional problems (21.5%); use of tranquilizers (14.6%), sleeping pills (21.0%), or antidepressants (22.2%); fair or poor self-reported emotional health (15.3%); days lost from work (17.8%); and suicide attempts (25.0%). CONCLUSIONS--Estimates of population attributable risk indicated that physicians actually provided services to more persons with depressive symptoms than to persons with formally defined conditions of depressive disorders. Subclinical depression, as a consequence of high prevalence, is a clinical and public health problem. Attention to diagnostic and treatment issues is indicated.     

重性抑郁症患者不同维度生存质量与症状变化的相关性

目的:探讨重性抑郁症患者不同维度生存质量与其症状变化的相关性.方法:采用前瞻性研究设计,用健康状况问卷(SF-36)对103例重性抑郁症患者进行基线期和治疗6周末的评估,在基线、治疗2周末和6周末还同时评估汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)和临床总体印象量表(CGI). 结果:治疗6周末,患者SF-36因子分均高于基线(P<...     

Diagnosis and treatment of depression in adults with comorbid medical conditions: a 52-year-old man with depression

Approximately 1 in 10 primary care patients has major depressive disorder, and its presence is associated with poor health outcomes in numerous medical conditions. Using the case of Mr J, a 52-year-old man with depressive symptoms and several comorbid medical conditions, diagnosis and treatment of depression are discussed. Specific topics include evidence regarding appropriate depression screening and diagnosis, the importance of team-based care, patient self-management, exercise, structured psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, monitoring of therapy, and indications for referral.     

综合医院神经内科专病门诊抑郁状态患者的特点

目的 分析综合医院神经内科专病门诊患者抑郁状态的临床特点.方法 对2005年10月至2009年2月在上海交通大学附属仁济医院失眠与神经症专病门诊就诊患者进行连续性前瞻性登记,收集人口学等资料、评估26项躯体症状、应用Hamilton抑郁量表(HDRS17)进行评分并采用病例对照方法分析抑郁状态患者的临床特点.结果 596例患者中,抑郁状态347例(58.1%),汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HDRS-17)平均分数为21.9±3.4,以轻、中度抑郁为主.抑郁患者情感症状诉说率低,情绪低落146例(41.2%)、兴趣减退161例(46.4%),有2项症状者108例(31.3%);体力劳动者、受教育程度低下、婚姻状况差、经济状况差、不规律的生活方式、既往有躯体疾病者易出现抑郁;抑郁组患者常见躯体症状依次为早醒218例(76.0%)、入睡困难254例(73.2%)、记忆力差219例(63.1%)、疲乏无力181例(52.2%)、心悸179例(51.6%)、头晕170例(49.0%)、头痛160例(46.1%)、胸闷140例(40.3%);平均主诉的躯体症状个数为(6.9±2.8)个;具有多个躯体症状主诉者(躯体症状主诉≥4个)为322例(92.8%);相关分析显示躯体症状个数与抑郁相关.结论 综合医院神经内科专病门诊抑郁状态患者躯体症状突出.     

Mortality, CD4 cell count decline, and depressive symptoms among HIV-seropositive women: longitudinal analysis from the HIV Epidemiology Research Study

CONTEXT: The impact of depression on morbidity and mortality among women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has not been examined despite the fact that women with HIV have substantially higher rates of depression than their male counterparts. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of depressive symptoms with HIV-related mortality and decline in CD4 lymphocyte counts among women with HIV. DESIGN: The HIV Epidemiologic Research Study, a prospective, longitudinal cohort study conducted from April 1993 through January 1995, with follow-up through March 2000. SETTING: Four academic medical centers in Baltimore, Md; Bronx, NY; Providence, RI; and Detroit, Mich. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 765 HIV-seropositive women aged 16 to 55 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: HIV-related mortality and CD4 cell count slope decline over a maximum of 7 years, compared among women with limited or no depressive symptoms, intermittent depressive symptoms, or chronic depressive symptoms, as measured using the self-report Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. RESULTS: In multivariate analyses controlling for clinical, treatment, and other factors, women with chronic depressive symptoms were 2 times more likely to die than women with limited or no depressive symptoms (relative risk [RR], 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-3.8). Among women with CD4 cell counts of less than 200 x 10(6)/L, HIV-related mortality rates were 54% for those with chronic depressive symptoms (RR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.6-11.6) and 48% for those with intermittent depressive symptoms (RR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.1-10.5) compared with 21% for those with limited or no depressive symptoms. Chronic depressive symptoms were also associated with significantly greater decline in CD4 cell counts after controlling for other variables in the model, especially among women with baseline CD4 cell counts of less than 500 x 10(6)/L and baseline viral load greater than 10 000 copies/microL. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that depressive symptoms among women with HIV are associated with HIV disease progression, controlling for clinical, substance use, and sociodemographic characteristics. These results highlight the importance of adequate diagnosis and treatment of depression among women with HIV. Further research is needed to determine if treatment of depression can not only enhance the mental health of women with HIV but also impede disease progression and mortality.     

Detection of depressive disorder for patients receiving prepaid or fee-for-service care. Results from the Medical Outcomes Study

We estimated clinicians' awareness of depression for patients with current depressive disorder (N = 650) who received care in either a single-specialty solo or small group practice, a large multispecialty group practice, or a health maintenance organization in three US sites. Depressive disorder was determined by independent diagnostic assessment shortly after an office visit. Detection and treatment of depression were determined from visit-report forms completed by the treating clinician. Depending on the setting, from 78.2% to 86.9% of depressed patients who visited mental health specialists had their depression detected at the time of the visit, compared with 45.9% to 51.2% of depressed patients who visited medical clinicians, after adjusting for case-mix differences. Among patients of mental health specialists, there were no significant differences by type of payment in the likelihood of depressive disorder being detected or treated. Among patients of medical clinicians, however, those receiving care financed by prepayment were significantly less likely to have their depression detected or treated during the visit than were similar patients receiving fee-for-service care.     

老年慢性病患者抑郁状态及影响因素城乡差异研究

背景　抑郁是老年人常见的心理健康问题,而老年慢性病患者抑郁状态发生率远高于一般老年人群。目前,对于老年慢性病患者抑郁状况的研究主要集中于城市社区,对农村老年慢性病患者的关注及城乡比较研究较为有限。目的　探讨老年慢性病患者抑郁状态及其影响因素的城乡差异,为改善老年慢性病患者心理健康提供参考。方法　于2018年10月,采用多阶段随机整群的方法抽取山西省太原市的2 504例城乡老年慢性病患者为研究对象。问卷内容包括一般人口学信息、行为因素、慢性病数量及抑郁状况。采用简版老年抑郁量表（GDS-15）评估抑郁状态。运用二元Logistic回归模型分析城乡老年慢性病患者抑郁状态的影响因素。结果　在2 504例老年慢性病患者中,城市老年慢性病患者占55.39%（1 387/2 504）,农村老年慢性病患者占44.61%（1 117/2 504）,城市和农村老年慢性病患者性别、年龄、受教育程度、婚姻状况、主要经济来源、与子女关系、与配偶关系、吸烟情况、体力活动水平和慢性病数量比较,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。在所有被调查者中,抑郁状态的检出率为37.02%（927/2 504）,且农村老年慢性病患者抑郁状态发生率（45.66%,510/1 117）高于城市老年慢性病患者（30.06%,417/1 387）（P<0.05）。二元Logistic回归分析结果显示,与子女关系、与配偶关系、体力活动水平是城市和农村老年慢性病患者抑郁状态发生的共同影响因素（P<0.05）,年龄和患慢性病数量是城市老年慢性病患者抑郁状态的影响因素（P<0.05）,吸烟情况、饮酒情况及主要经济来源是农村老年慢性病患者抑郁状态的影响因素（P<0.05）。结论　城乡老年慢性病患者抑郁状况的影响因素不尽相同,在对老年慢性病患者抑郁状态的实际干预中要考虑城乡差异,有针对性地采取预防和改进措施。     

急性冠脉综合征伴发焦虑抑郁情绪患者生活质量的研究

目的 研究急性冠脉综合征(acute coronary syndrome,ACS)患者伴随焦虑抑郁情绪时的生活质量(quality of life,QOL).方法 使用综合性医院情绪测量表(HADS)和健康状况调查问卷(SF-36)分别对688例ACS住院患者进行情绪测量及QOL评估.根据HADS评分结果,将入组的ACS患者分为焦虑组、抑郁组、焦虑抑郁组以及非焦虑非抑郁组.结果 焦虑组、抑郁组、焦虑抑郁组及非焦虑抑郁组QOL评分依次为:生理机能(56.92±23.92)分;(52.91±32.24)分;(53.03±27.34)分;(62.51±27.15)分、生理职能(31.08±38.49)分;(34.97±40.44)分;(23.86±33.60)分;(45.40±43.57)分、躯体疼痛(55.14±23.86)分;(55.78±29.45)分;(49.39±24.51)分;(65.39±24.98)分、一般健康状况(40.16±20.20)分;(39.74±21.39)分;(35.22±19.66)分;(51.09±21.98)分、精力(53.52±18.39)分;(55.81±21.60)分;(48.02±21.48)分;(66.68±23.13)分、社会功能(62.04±26.78)分;(62.99±28.31)分;(54.13±27.58)分;(75.83±24.90)分、情感职能(42.33±43.12)分;(51.64±44.65)分;(30.00±37.85)分;(58.69±44.83)分、精神健康(65.39±18.62)分;(72.11±20.46)分;(58.01±20.29)分;(82.69±16.43)分,组间比较差异有显著性(P＜0.05).结论 ACS患者伴发焦虑抑郁情绪时QOL显著降低,以伴发焦虑抑郁双重障碍的ACS患者的QOL最低.     

中国45岁及以上中老年抑郁症状及影响因素研究

目的 了解中国中老年人的抑郁症状流行水平及其影响因素,为促进我国中老年人心理健康和探讨预防措施提供依据。方法 人口数据来源于2013年中国健康与养老追踪调查资料。采用流行病学调查用抑郁量表(CES-D)评定抑郁患病情况,运用二分类logistic回归方法分析抑郁症状患病率与社会人口学因素（年龄、性别、文化程度等）、其他健康相关的因素（是否患慢病、患慢性病种数、残疾、意外伤害、最近两年摔倒）及最近两年近亲属死亡（父亲死亡、母亲死亡、配偶死亡、子女死亡）情况的关系。结果 本次调查发现我国中老年抑郁症状患病率为31.9%,抑郁症状平均得分为8.0±4.9。75岁以下人群相对于75岁及以上人群患抑郁症的风险更高,女性患病风险高于男性,文盲及小学文化程度者患病风险高于大专及以上水平人群,农村地区居民患病风险高于城镇居民,丧偶者患病风险高于其他近亲属死亡者,患3种慢性病患者抑郁症状患病风险高于无慢性病人群。结论 中国中老年抑郁症状患病率高,心理健康问题可能增多,应积极采取预防控制措施,促进中国中老年人的心理健康。     

Depression in older people: a point to remember in all specialties

Depression is a common disorder in older people. It is usually undiagnosed in elder patients due to atypical symptoms, masked depressive state, mixed with agitation, psychotic delusions and worsening of physical symptoms already present or multiple pains in extremities. It is a very common associated comorbidity with patients of all disciplines--as in post CVA state or postmyocardial infarction, postoperative state, posthysterectomy or in recovery state of various medical disorders, even in a viral influenza, or in a metabolic medical disorder like diabetes mellitus. Author has studied and analysed 120 patients in different wards of Midnapore Medical College & Hospital and some others usually referred by other physicians at OPD and have found high incidence of depression and a marked improvement of symptoms after a short period of treatment.     

Depressive symptoms and risk factors in Chinese persons with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to study depressive symptoms and potential risk factors in Chinese persons with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Zung self-rating depression scale (ZSDS) was used to scan depressive symptoms. Correlation between depressive symptoms and sociodemographic and medical factors were analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 222 patients with type 2 diabetes (115 males, 107 females, age 56.36 +/- 12.67 years, disease duration 7.36 +/- 6.32 years), a total of 51 (23.0%) patients were categorized as having depressive symptoms. Percentage of depressive symptoms in females was higher than in males (29.0% vs. 17.6%, chi(2)=4.2, p <0.05). Percentage of depressive symptoms increased with increase of diabetes duration, HbA(1c), TC, TG, and number of chronic diabetic complications. Univariate logistic regression showed that diabetes duration, number of chronic diabetic complications, HbA(1c), female gender, and TC were significantly correlated with depressive symptoms (p <0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that variables, i.e., diabetes duration, number of chronic diabetic complications, HbA(1C), and female gender were significantly and independently associated with depressive symptoms (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this Chinese population, depressive symptoms in subjects with type 2 diabetes were frequent. Diabetes duration, number of chronic diabetic complications, HbA(1C), and female gender were independent risk factors for depressive symptoms. Further research on the relationship between diabetes and depressive symptoms in China was necessary.     

慢性非器质性头痛与焦虑抑郁情绪的关系

目的探讨就诊于神经内科门诊的慢性非器质性头痛患者中焦虑抑郁的发生率及其特点,为临床治疗提供依据。方法对2008年1月-2009年6月来我院神经内科就诊的355例慢性非器质性头痛患者采用汉密顿抑郁和焦虑量表进行测定,并同时记录性别、年龄、病程、文化程度等。结果 45.63%的头痛患者伴发情绪障碍,单纯焦虑占11.0%,单纯抑郁占9.3%,焦虑抑郁并存者占25.4%。有焦虑症状的头痛患者出现抑郁症状显著高于无焦虑症状患者（P〈0.01）;反之亦然。头痛病程越长,焦虑抑郁发生率越高（P〈0.01）。女性头痛患者伴随焦虑抑郁者显著高于男性。焦虑抑郁症状在不同的文化程度和职业之间差异无统计学意义。结论慢性非器质性头痛常伴有焦虑抑郁情绪,病程越长,焦虑抑郁越严重,特别是女性和年龄〈40岁者。对头痛患者存在的焦虑抑郁需要及早发现、及早干预。     

慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者内镜鼻窦术后主观症状的相关因素分析

目的:探讨影响慢性鼻窦炎内镜鼻窦术后主观症状改善的相关因素,以提高耳鼻喉科医师对疾病的综合分析能力。方法:对内镜鼻窦术后头痛、鼻塞的63例患者行进一步检查,加强科室会诊,对病因行相应治疗。结果:63例中,伴有内科疾病38例,鼻腔鼻窦病变残留或复发29例,伴有抑郁症5例。63例患者经相应治疗主观症状消失或改善。结论:慢性鼻窦炎内镜鼻窦术前要对患者行全面检查,并综合治疗相关疾病,以增强患者对内镜鼻窦手术的信心,避免引起医疗纠纷。     

抑郁症状与SPECT局部脑血流灌注的相关探讨

 [目的]采用单光子发射计算机断层扫描（SPECT）技术测定抑郁症患者的局部脑血流（rCBF）,与正常对照比较脑血流灌注变化,并观察抑郁症症状与患者脑血流灌注的关系。[方法]以18例未经抗抑郁治疗的抑郁症患者为研究对象,19名正常人作为对照组,分别行SPECT检查。[结果]未经治疗的抑郁患者SPECT脑血流低灌注发生率为72.2%;重症抑郁患者100%存在脑血流低灌注;抑郁组患者双侧额叶、颞叶的rCBF较对照组显著下降（P〈0.01～0.05）,左顶叶、右基底节rCBF也明显降低（P〈0.05）;抑郁组内左、右侧脑血流低灌注存在不对称性,左侧额叶、顶叶的rCBF较右侧显著下降（P〈0.01）,颞叶的rCBF也较右侧下降（P〈0.05）;左、右额叶局部脑血流与抑郁迟缓（P〈0.01）、日夜变化（P〈0.05）因子呈负相关;焦虑/躯体化因子与右额叶（P〈0.05）、右基底节（P〈0.01）血流灌注呈负相关。[结论]未经治疗的抑郁症患者存在某些特定部位脑血流灌注下降;左侧脑血流灌注减低更多见;脑血流灌注与生物学抑郁症状有关,伴有生物学症状的抑郁症患者可能有脑部血流低灌注。     

DNA甲基化转移酶基因与围绝经期抑郁症的关联研究

目的 探讨DNA甲基化转移酶3B基因(DNMT3B)多态与围绝经期抑郁症疾病表型的质量性状和数量性状的关联。 方法 采用随机抽样法,从2009年11月—2013年1月就诊于三所综合医院妇科门诊及一所专科医院心理门诊的4 684例围绝经期妇女中,抽取403例完成一般资料的收集;采用Beck抑郁量表(BDI)和DSM-IV-TR轴I障碍用临床定式检查手册-病人版(DCID-I/P)进行抑郁障碍的筛查和诊断,入组65例抑郁症患者及匹配的122例健康对照者;共收集398例的外周静脉血,提取DNA;采用Snapshot基因分型技术对DNMT3B基因的2个标签单核苷酸序列多态性(tag SNP,单核苷酸分别为rs6141813与rs2424908)进行检测分型;采用BDI评定抑郁表型的数量性状;运用SNPStats及SHEsis软件分析DNMT3B基因与抑郁表型的质量性状和数量性状的关联。 结果 2组间2个tag SNP的基因型、等位基因的频率分布差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);2个多态位点存在强连锁不平衡(D’＝0.98,r2＝0.62),组成的TC单体型与BDI得分正相关(Add值=2.45,95%CI=0.14～4.75,P=0.04)。 结论 DNA甲基化转移酶3B基因可能与围绝经期抑郁症疾病表型的质量性状关联不大,但可能与围绝经期抑郁症状的数量性状相关,可能是抑郁症易感的微效基因。      

多中心产后门诊妇女抑郁和/或焦虑症状现况研究

目的 了解中国大城市产后妇女中抑郁和／或焦虑症状患病率。方法 采用现况研究方法．于2004年6月1日到9月1日在北京、上海和成都3家医院的产科随访门诊连续收集分娩后妇女317例。由经培训的调查员用统一的调查表进行面对面调查，同时使用综合医院焦虑抑郁量表（HAD）、Hamilton焦虑量表和Hamilton抑郁量表进行心理测评。结果 产后妇女中抑郁自评症状的检出率为3．5％．焦虑自评症状的检出率为4．4％，在具有抑郁和／或焦虑症状（HAD≥9分）的患者中，中重度抑郁症状的检出率为10．0%，中重度焦虑症状的检出率为28．6％。具有抑郁和／或焦虑自评症状者所生育的新生儿的健康状况都良好．统计学检验未提示产妇妊娠合并症、分娩合并症与产妇抑郁和焦虑自评症状检出有显著关系，行剖宫术产妇焦虑自评症状的检出率显著高于顺产产妇。结论 中国大城市产后妇女抑郁、焦虑症状检出率尽管低于发达国家．但鉴于我国每年较大的分娩基数，产后妇女中抑郁和焦虑现象仍应引起卫生管理部门和临床医务人员的关注。     

Use of medical services and treatment for panic disorder with agoraphobia and for social phobia.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the medical services and treatment for anxiety disorders reported by patients who had either panic disorder with agoraphobia or else social phobia. DESIGN: Archival research of consecutive records of psychiatric interviews conducted between January 1990 and December 1991. The records were examined by a trained research assistant who had had no contact with the patients. PATIENTS: One hundred patients who had panic disorder with agoraphobia and twenty-eight patients who had social phobia. SETTING: An anxiety disorders clinic in a university-affiliated psychiatric institute. OUTCOME MEASURES: Variables related to the use of medical services included history of hospitalization, emergency department visits and referrals to specialists. Variables related to treatment included types of medication received, whether behaviour therapy was received and types of health care professionals seen. RESULTS: Almost 30% of the patients with panic disorder and more than 20% of those with social phobia had a history of a major depressive episode at some time in their lives; 30% and 25% respectively had a current nonpsychiatric medical diagnosis. In the past year nearly one-third of both patient groups had seen three or more different health care professionals and almost one-fifth of those with panic disorder had gone to a general hospital emergency department. Of the patients with panic disorder 9% had previously been assessed by a cardiologist and 17% by a neurologist. At least two-thirds of each group had received benzodiazepines, often for use as needed. Although most of the patients in both groups had been seen by mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, few had received optimal treatment. Of those with panic disorder, only 15% had received the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine, 13% alprazolam and 11% cognitive-behavioural therapy. Only 4% of the patients with social phobia had received cognitive-behavioural therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Both groups of patients, and particularly those with panic disorder, are frequent users of medical services. Although most have had contact with mental health professionals, few have received appropriate treatment. Benzodiazepines appear to be overprescribed, whereas forms of treatment that have been shown to reduce the use of medical services, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, are infrequently given.     

Screening for bipolar disorder in a primary care practice

Context  Bipolar disorder consists of episodes of manic and depressive symptoms. Efforts to screen for depression in a primary care setting without assessment of past manic symptoms can lead to incorrect diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder. Objectives  To screen for bipolar disorder in adult primary care patients and to examine its clinical presentation and effect on functioning. Design, Setting, and Participants  A systematic sample of 1157 patients between 18 and 70 years of age who were seeking primary care at an urban general medicine clinic serving a low-income population. The study was conducted between December 2001 and January 2003. Main Outcome Measures  Prevalence of bipolar disorder, its treatment and patient functioning. Study measures included the Mood Disorder Questionnaire, the PRIME-MD Patient Health Questionnaire, the Medical Outcomes Study 12-Item Short Form health survey, the Sheehan Disability Scale, data on past mental health treatments, and a review of medical records and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes for each visit dating from 6 months prior to the screening day. Results  The prevalence of receiving positive screening results for lifetime bipolar disorder was 9.8% (n = 112; 95% confidence interval, 8.0%-11.5%) and did not differ significantly by age, sex, or race/ethnicity. Eighty-one patients (72.3%) who screened positive for bipolar disorder sought professional help for their symptoms, but only 9 (8.4%) reported receiving a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Seventy-five patients (68.2%) who screened positive for bipolar disorder had a current major depressive episode or an anxiety or substance use disorder. Of 112 patients, only 7 (6.5%) reported taking a mood-stabilizing agent in the past month. Primary care physicians recorded evidence of current depression in 47 patients (49.0%) who screened positive for bipolar disorder, but did not record a bipolar disorder diagnosis either in administrative billing or the medical record of any of these patients. Patients who screened positive for bipolar disorder reported worse health-related quality of life as well as increased social and family life impairment compared with those who screened negative. Conclusions  In an urban general medicine clinic, a positive screen for bipolar disorder appears to be common, clinically significant, and underrecognized. Because of the risks associated with treating bipolar disorder with antidepressant monotherapy, efforts are needed to educate primary care physicians about the screening, management, and pharmacotherapy of bipolar disorders.