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Seasonal affective disorder among primary care attenders and a community sample in Aberdeen

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

John M. Eagles ,
Samantha M. Wileman ,
Isobel M. Cameron ,
Fiona L. Howie ,
Kenneth Lawton ,
Douglas A. Gray ,
Jane E. Andrew  and
Simon A. Naji
John M. Eagles*
Affiliation:
Royal Cornhill Hospital, Aberdeen
Samantha M. Wileman
Affiliation:
Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen
Isobel M. Cameron
Affiliation:
327 Great Western Road, Aberdeen
Fiona L. Howie
Affiliation:
Royal Cornhill Hospital, Aberdeen
Kenneth Lawton
Affiliation:
Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen
Douglas A. Gray
Affiliation:
Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen
Jane E. Andrew
Affiliation:
Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen
Simon A. Naji
Affiliation:
Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen
*
John M. Eagles, Consultant Psychiatrist, Royal Cornhill Hospital, Cornhill Road, Aberdeen AB25 2ZH
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Abstract

Background

There are no large published studies of the prevalence of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) among UK populations.

Aim

To determine the prevalence of SAD among patients attending a general practitioner (GP).

Method

Patients aged 16–64 consulting their GPs in Aberdeen during January were screened with the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). SPAQs were also mailed to 600 matched patients, who had not consulted their GP during January. Surgery attenders who fulfilled SPAQ criteria for SAD were invited for interview to determine whether they met criteria for SAD in DSM–IVand the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression– Seasonal Affective Disorder Version (SIGH–SAD).

Results

Of 6161 surgery attenders, 4557 (74%) completed a SPAQ; 442 (9.7%) were SPAQ cases of SAD. Rate of caseness on the SPAQ did not differ between surgery attenders and non-attenders. Of 223 interviewed SPAQ cases of SAD, 91 (41%) also fulfilled DSM–IVand SIGH–SAD criteria.

Conclusions

There is a high prevalence of SAD among patients attending their GPs in January in Aberdeen; this is likely to reflect a similar rate in the community.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 175 , Issue 5 , November 1999 , pp. 472 - 475
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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Footnotes

Declaration of interest

Funded by the Scottish Office Department of Health and Grampian Healthcare NHS Trust.

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