[Screening of depression in primary care in Hungary and its importance in suicide prevention].

The current prevalence of DSM-IV depressive disorders were surveyed among 984 primary care attendees in 6 PCPs in Hungary, using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the PRIME-MD screening instrument. The current prevalence rate of any DSM-IV depressive disorders, including symptomatic major depressive episode (MDE) were 18.5% and 7.3% respectively. BDI identified any current depressive disorders with 95% sensitivity and 56% specificity and the same figures for MDE were 83% and 23%, respectively. Current MDE was found 50% of patients with positive family history of suicide, comparing to the 14.3% of those without. The BDI and the PRIME-MD are useful screening tools for detecting depressive disorders in PCPs. Family history of completed suicide as a clinical marker could improve suicide prevention through the more effective management of MDE in primary care.