PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Alosaimi, Fahad D.
AU  - Al-Sultan, Omar A.
AU  - Alghamdi, Qusay A.
AU  - Almohaimeed, Ibrahim K.
AU  - Alqannas, Sulaiman I.
TI  - Gender-specific differences in depression and anxiety symptoms and help-seeking behavior among gastroenterology patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
DP  - 2014 Jul 01
TA  - Neurosciences Journal
PG  - 203--209
VI  - 19
IP  - 3
4099  - http://nsj.org.sa/content/19/3/203.short
4100  - http://nsj.org.sa/content/19/3/203.full
SO  - Neurosciences (Riyadh)2014 Jul 01; 19
AB  - Objectives: To evaluate the gender-specific difference in the prevalence of depression and anxiety and the help-seeking behavior among gastroenterology outpatients.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in gastroenterology clinics in 4 hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between February and September 2013. A self-administrated questionnaire was developed and administered to patients. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaires were used to identify depression and anxiety.Results: A total of 438 patients completed the study questionnaire; 135 (31%) females, and 303 (69%) males. Compared with males, females had more depression symptoms (44% versus 32%, p=0.012), anxiety symptoms (34% versus 24%, p=0.036), anxiety-associated difficulty (65% versus 52%, p=0.012), but similar suicidal thoughts (14% versus 11%, p=0.347). Females had similar gastrointestinal complaints but longer duration of symptoms. In both females and males, the most common first interventions were using medications (63% versus 69%), and undergoing endoscopy (19% versus 15%), while very few patients initially used herbs or Islamic incantation “Roquia” (7% versus 8%). Compared with males, females were more likely to subsequently seek help at private clinics (23% versus 14%, p=0.014), or with a Quran therapist (11% versus 5%, p=0.012).Conclusion: There are clear gender-specific differences in depression and anxiety symptoms and associated perceived difficulty, but modest differences in help-seeking behavior. Female patients at the gastroenterology clinic may deserve more psychological attention to diagnose depression and anxiety and to alleviate their impact.