[Depressive disorder across the lifespan in primary care: screening, diagnostic and follow-up tools]. / Trouble dépressif à travers les âges en MPR: outils de dépistage, de diagnostic et de suivi.

Recognizing and treating depression is particularly important for primary care physicians since the prevalence of this disease reaches about 10% in this setting. Screening tools are likely to improve patients' health only if followed by a comprehensive therapy. The 3 Aroll's questions for adults, the geriatric depression scale for the elderly and the Edinburgh depression scale for postpartum women are the most useful and validated screening tools. Data are insufficient to recommend screening in children and teenagers. A positive screening must be confirmed by DSM-IV or ICM-10 criteria. Initial evaluation and follow-up are facilitated by Beck's and PHQ9 scales, the most validated ones for primary care physicians. Psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment by a specialist is required for severe depression.

[Preparing a drug list for primary care]. / Prescription en médecine de premier recours: l'intérêt d'une liste de médicaments.

To limit drug adverse effects, the use of a limited choice of drugs is desirable. We identified 29 frequent health problems and selected first and second choice medication based on the following criteria: clinical efficacy based on medical evidence or expert consensus, safety profile, and costs. For each substance, adverse effect, contraindication, interaction risk, specific dosing, and safety use during pregnancy and lactation were reviewed. More than seventy substances were identified. This list is available for download at the following address (in French): http://www.hcuge.

[Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD): pharmacological management]. / Prise en charge médicamenteuse des symptômes comportementaux et psychologiques liés à la démence.

BPSD affect all demented patients during their illness. They are part of the process of the disease and can be correlated to neurotransmitter dysfunctions as well as to the coping difficulties due to the patient's cognitive decline. The major consequences of BPSD are a decreased quality of life of both patient and caregivers and an increased need of professional care. Physicians should exclude precipitating factors such as intercurrent somatic, psychiatric or drug-related problems first and then proceed with behavioural or environment therapy. Introduction of a pharmacological treatment should be the last resort. This systematic review discusses the causes and consequences of BPSD and focuses on the evidence-based pharmacological approach. Only three drugs can be recommended at the present time: risperidone, olanzapine and donepezil.