Independent thesis Advanced level (professional degree), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Background: Depression and anxiety are widespread health issues which are treated with both psychopharmacological and psychological treatments. Few studies have examined their prevalence and treatment in Uppsala.
Aim: To assess prevalence and treatment of depression and anxiety in Region Uppsala.
Methods: Data from Electronic Health Records in Uppsala County was collected. Included were patients 6 years or older with at least one registration of ICD-10 codes indicating depression or anxiety during 2023. Age, sex, diagnoses, health care levels, health care professionals, psychological treatments and psychopharmacological treatments were retrieved and analyzed.
Results: The total prevalence was 3.3% for depression and 6.8% for anxiety. 1.8% had both diagnoses. 70.6% of adults but only 18.5% of children were treated only in primary care. The proportion of adults meeting only a physician, but no psychologist, increased with age to 90.2% in age group 80+. 69.6% of the study population received at least one prescription of included psychopharmacological treatments. Sertraline was the most common substance in children and young adults. Among the elderly, it was mirtazapine. 58.8% of registered visits with psychological treatment were for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). 55.7% of the children and 20.7% of the adults received a combination of psychopharmacological and psychological treatment.
Conclusion: Anxiety is more common than depression, and is very common in young females. Young patients tend to receive more psychological treatments than adults, but regardless of age, more patients should be offered evidence based psychological treatment, such as CBT, to comply with recommendations.
2025.