A closer look at the epidemiology of schizophrenia and common mental disorders in Brazil

ABSTRACT. Schizophrenia and common mental disorders are noteworthy social and economic concern worldwide. Epidemiologic studies on the impact of specific mental disorders in emerging countries are scarce. Objectives: We aimed to characterize the demographic, social, and economic burden of schizophrenia and common mental disorders patients in the health system in Brazil. Methods: Data on these conditions in Brazil between 2008 and 2019 were collected through the website of the Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (Information Technology Department of the Unified Health System - DATASUS) maintained by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Mean annual hospital admissions were 154,009.67, and cumulative incidence of 77.44 admissions per 100,000 inhabitants. Results: Average annual hospital expenses were US$ 67,216,056.04, with an average admission cost of US$ 432.58. The most affected age groups were older adults albeit younger individuals showed a trend towards increase of occurrences in recent years. There were a higher number of admissions in men compared to women. Conclusions: We consider the results obtained important to assist in evaluating and guiding public policies regarding the prevention and treatment in health systems.

摘要。精神分裂症与常见精神障碍是全球范围内不容忽视的社会与经济议题。当前针对新兴经济体特定精神障碍影响的流行病学研究较为匮乏。研究目的：本研究旨在明确巴西医疗体系内精神分裂症与常见精神障碍患者所承担的人口学、社会及经济负担特征。研究方法：收集2008年至2019年巴西境内上述疾病的相关数据，数据来源于巴西卫生部维护的统一卫生系统信息技术部（Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde，缩写DATASUS）官方网站。本研究年均住院人次达154009.67，累积发病率为每10万居民77.44人次。研究结果：年均住院总支出达67216056.04美元，单次住院平均费用为432.58美元。受疾病影响最显著的年龄群体为老年人，但近年来年轻群体的发病例数呈上升态势。男性住院人次显著多于女性。结论：本研究所得结果对评估及指导卫生系统中精神障碍的预防与治疗相关公共政策具有重要参考价值。