The Aarhus statement: improving design and reporting of studies on early cancer diagnosis.

Early diagnosis is a key factor in improving the outcomes of cancer patients. A greater understanding of the pre-diagnostic patient pathways is vital yet, at present, research in this field lacks consistent definitions and methods. As a consequence much early diagnosis research is difficult to interpret. A consensus group was formed with the aim of producing guidance and a checklist for early cancer-diagnosis researchers. A consensus conference approach combined with nominal group techniques was used. The work was supported by a systematic review of early diagnosis literature, focussing on existing instruments used to measure time points and intervals in early cancer-diagnosis research. A series of recommendations for definitions and methodological approaches is presented. This is complemented by a checklist that early diagnosis researchers can use when designing and conducting studies in this field. The Aarhus checklist is a resource for early cancer-diagnosis research that should promote greater precision and transparency in both definitions and methods. Further work will examine whether the checklist can be readily adopted by researchers, and feedback on the guidance will be used in future updates.

Treatment of mental health problems in general practice: a survey of psychotropics prescribed and other treatments provided.

OBJECTIVE: Real-life data on the treatment of patients with mental health problems are important as a reference to evaluate care and benchmarking. This study describes the treatment of mental health problems in general practice as diagnosed by general practitioners (GP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data on mental health problems were available from structured psychiatric interviews in the general population and data on mental health problems diagnosed by general practitioners. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment data were taken from patients records held electronically in general practices. RESULTS: GPs diagnosed a mental health problem in 13.2% of the 1,756 cases examined and 86% of these patients were treated by the GPs themselves. Of the 16% referrals, the majority were referred within primary care. Nearly all patients with a mental health problem received counseling or advice from their GP. Half of the patients with a medication-related disorder, a (single) mood disorder or an (single) anxiety disorder and all patients with a combined anxiety and depressive disorder received a prescription for psychotropic drugs (antidepressants and/or benzodiazepines). Nearly all patients with a sleep disorder received a prescription for benzodiazepine. In patients with psychosocial problems, 20% received benzodiazepines. CONCLUSION: The majority of mental health problems, when professionally treated, are treated in primary care. More than half the patients are treated with antidepressants and/or benzodiazepines. Most patients also receive supportive counseling or advice.

[Summary of the practice guideline 'Thyroid disorders' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners]. / Samenvatting van de standaard 'Schildklieraandoeningen' (eerste herziening) van het Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap.

--The practice guideline 'Thyroid disorders' developed by the Dutch College of General Practitioners replaces the practice guideline 'Functional thyroid disorders' from 1996. Recommendations for palpable thyroid disorders have been added. --Hypothyroidism can often be treated by the general practitioner. The guideline offers specific recommendations for substitution therapy based on the 'start low, go slow'-principle. --Pharmacological treatment of hyperthyroidism is described as an optional activity for general practitioners. --A conservative approach is taken to the treatment of subclinical thyroid dysfunction. The development of symptoms may justify treatment initiation. --Cooperation has improved harmonisation of this practice guideline with the Netherlands Association for Internal Medicine's practice guideline 'Functional thyroid disorders' and the Dutch Institute for Healthcare Improvement's practice guideline 'Thyroid carcinomas'.

[The practice guideline 'Anxiety disorders' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners; a response from the perspective of general practice]. / De standaard 'Angststoornissen' (eerste herziening) van het Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap; reactie vanuit de huisartsgeneeskunde.

The recommendations provided by the revised guideline 'Anxiety disorders' are well suited to every-day practice. The multidisciplinary approach reflects the increasing cooperation between primary and secondary care in the management of mental-health problems. The description of the various anxiety disorders and the questions that can be asked to elicit the symptoms will facilitate recognition. The indications for treatment with medication are clear: a limited number of antidepressants should be used. Although it is agreed that patient education is an important part of treatment, the guidelines could have described in more detail how this should be done. Cognitive-behavioural techniques may be used but this requires extra training; its effectiveness when used by general practitioners needs further study. This guideline will add to existing knowledge and improve the skills of general practitioners in dealing with anxiety.

Who uses over-the-counter psychotropics? Characteristics, functioning, and (mental) health profile.

As part of a population study on the prevalence of psychopathology, users of "Over-The-Counter" Psychotropics (OTC-Ps) were studied. First, their mental health profile was examined by a number of subjective and objective assessments. Second, the medical consumption of the users was studied with special attention to the psychotropic drugs prescribed. The prevalence of psychological problems and symptoms of psychological distress was higher among OTC-P users than among non-users. Somatic problems and symptoms were comparable in the two groups; social support was better in the OTC-P users. Half of the users were known to have mental health problems by their Primary Care Physician (PCP). The DSM IV Axis I disorders were mostly mood and anxiety disorders. A benzodiazepine had been prescribed to one-third of the OTC-P users. No other psychotropic drugs had been prescribed, and the medical consumption was comparable in the two groups. PCPs should be aware of concomitant OTC-Ps use.

Explanatory models of medically unexplained symptoms: a qualitative analysis of the literature.

Background Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are common in primary health care. Both patients and doctors are burdened with the symptoms that negatively affect patients' quality of life. General practitioners (GPs) often face difficulties when giving patients legitimate and convincing explanations for their symptoms. This explanation is important for reassuring patients and for maintaining a good doctor-patient communication and relationship.Objective To provide an overview of explanatory models for MUS.Study design We performed a systematic search of reviews in PsycINFO and PubMed about explanatory models of MUS. We performed a qualitative analysis of the data according to the principles of constant comparative analysis to identify specific explanatory models.Results We distinguished nine specific explanatory models of MUS in the literature: somatosensory amplification, sensitisation, sensitivity, immune system sensitisation, endocrine dysregulation, signal filter model, illness behaviour model, autonomous nervous system dysfunction and abnormal proprioception. The nine different explanatory models focus on different domains, including somatic causes, perception, illness behaviour and predisposition. We also found one meta-model, which incorporates these four domains: the cognitive behavioural therapy model.Conclusion Although GPs often face difficulties when providing explanations to patients with MUS, there are multiple explanatory models in the scientific literature that may be of use in daily medical practice.

Long-term benzodiazepine users in family practice: differences from short-term users in mental health, coping behaviour and psychological characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Contrary to short-term use, long-term benzodiazepine use is undesirable. Nevertheless, its prevalence is high. To prevent long-term use, it is important to know which short-term users are at risk of becoming long-term users. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to identify patient-related factors of long-term versus short-term use of benzodiazepines. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in family practices among users of benzodiazepines with regard to DSM-IV diagnosis, coping and psychosocial characteristics,. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, long-term use of benzodiazepines was the dependent variable. RESULTS: A total of 164 short-term and 158 long-term benzodiazepine users participated in the study. Having a DSM-IV disorder and psychiatric co-morbidity, being older, less educated, lonely and using more avoidance coping behaviour was associated with long-term use of benzodiazepines compared with short-term use. CONCLUSION: The associations found point to possibilities to reduce long-term benzodiazepine use, for example if patients with these characteristics are treated with the alternatives to benzodiazepines or are monitored closely for a short period after being prescribing benzodiazepines.