Researchers from the UK's University of Leicester, who reviewed 41 "studies involving more than 50,000 patients," discovered that "substantial numbers were missed or wrongly identified as having depression.

In fact, depression was more commonly misdiagnosed than correctly spotted following an initial consultation." Specifically, the review found that "GPs were able to recognize only about half of people who had clinical depression," with the GPs being "better at picking up more severe depression."

The study authors "said the fact that most consultations lasted only for a short time might be to blame, as patients may be reluctant to discuss their problems fully."

They also suggested that "if GPs evaluated people who might have depression over two appointments instead of one their diagnostic accuracy rate would rise to 90 percent."

Related Links:

- "GPs 'poor at spotting depression'," BBC News, July 27, 2009.