Content area
Abstract
The questions to participants covered multiple health domains to measure disability- an "umbrella term for impairments, activity limitations, or participation restrictions".5 Self-reported disability in depression and other chronic diseases is reliable, and is paralleled by objective measures of performance, such as work attendance and productivity.6,7 A plaintive response set in depression could not account forthe findings. In Australia, less than 30% of patients receive good treatment with antidepressants, cognitive behavioural therapy, and proactive maintenance care.10 By contrast, 80% of patients with arthritis and 90% of patients with asthma receive an acceptable standard of care.·12 Perhaps differential access to treatment is one reason why disability is less with the physical disorders.