Applicability of the ICF in measuring functioning and disability in unipolar depression in primary care settings

Introduction. We use the biopsychosocial model of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF): a) to analyze functioning and disability patterns in unipolar depression cases attended in primary care settings; b) to study predictive and mediator variables related to disability in depression, and c) to determine the impact of traditional interventions in depression cases using functional remission as outcome measure. Design. Naturalistic, prospective, longitudinal. Setting. Multicenter study in primary care. Health Area 2. Region of Madrid. Participants. Adult patients with a diagnosis of unipolar depression who initiate psychopharmacological treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) in primary care sites. Patients with history of bipolar disorders, psychotic disorders, dementias, and dependence of toxic substances will be excluded. Main measurements. Level of functioning and disability in different domains of well-being assessed through ICF related instruments. Stressful life events, social support and cognitive schemes will be analyzed as mediator variables. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, psychopharmacological treatment and treatment compliance are considered independent factors. Discussion and practical use. Selection bias may affect the generalization of the results. The biopsychosocial model underlying the ICF and its methodology are applied to the study of depression in primary care settings for the first time in Spain. Improving our understanding of disability related factors in depressive patients is expected. This study is one of the main research priorities of the EU (MHADIE project).