MONTREAL, Nov 13, 2008 (UPI via COMTEX) -- U.S. and Canadian researchers are
questioning the American Heart Association's suggestion that all heart patients
be screened for depression.
A report published in the Nov. 12 Journal of the American Medical Association
said there is not enough medical evidence to support such a massive undertaking.
"It's a very appealing idea that non-mental health professionals can administer
a quick, easy-to-use depression screening test, and that would somehow benefit
patients," Brett Thombs, a psychologist and assistant professor at McGill
University's Faculty of Medicine, said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the
reality is that it would be an extremely difficult undertaking that wouldn't
produce practical benefits for patients."
Thombs said a detailed review of 17 clinical studies shows screening alone or
screening and referral doesn't help most patients. "We see positive effects only
in 'enhanced care' or 'collaborative care,' environments where they have
mental-health specialists on call. And even there we only see tiny effects," he
said.
The report said researchers found no connection between treatment for depression
and cardiovascular outcomes, such as subsequent heart attack.
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Copyright 2008 by United Press International