ABSTRACT
la alfabetización en salud mental (ASM) se define como el conocimiento y las creencias sobre los trastornos mentales que ayudan a su reconocimiento, manejo y prevención. Se buscó traducir, adaptar y validar el instrumento canadiense Test Mental Health & High School Curriculum Guide (TMHHSCG) en estudiantes de secundaria y universitarios chilenos. Materiales y métodos: estudio de diseño instrumental en adolescentes (n = 454) y jóvenes (n = 434). Se llevó a cabo un proceso de adaptación compuesto por traducción y retrotraducción, y entrevistas cognitivas y de validación a través de análisis factorial para la validez de criterio y de constructo, análisis de validez convergente y divergente y análisis de invarianza factorial. Resultados: las dimensiones del TMHHSCGCL que conforman la ASM (conocimiento sobre trastornos mentales y salud mental, estigma hacia las personas con trastorno mental y búsqueda de ayuda) cumplieron con el requisito de un factor superior o igual 0.3. Hubo niveles de correlación moderada, positiva y significativa entre las dimensiones del test y entre este y las tres escalas utilizadas para probar la validez de criterio, tuvo buena consistencia interna y validez de constructo, convergente y discriminante. El análisis de invarianza de medición comparó modelos de manera progresiva y mostró una buena invarianza factorial. Conclusión: el TMHHSCGCL muestra adecuadas propiedades psicométricas que incorpora todos los componentes de la ASM. Ello permitirá medir el nivel de ASM para desarrollar intervenciones de prevención y promoción en salud mental en estudiantes de educación secundaria y universitaria.
Mental Health Literacy (mhl) is defined as knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders that aid in their recognition, management and prevention. We sought to translate, adapt and validate the Canadian instrument Test Mental Health & High School Curriculum Guide (tmhhscg) in Chilean high school and university students. Materials and methods: Instrumental design study in adolescents (n = 454) and young adults (n = 434). An adaptation process consisting of translation and back-translation, and cognitive and validation interviews was carried out by means of factor analysis for criterion and construct validity, convergent and divergent validity analysis, and factorial invariance analysis. Results: The dimensions of the tmhhscg-cl that compose the mhl (knowledge about mental disorders and mental health, stigma towards people with mental disorders, and help-seeking) met the requirement of a factor greater than or equal to 0.3. There were moderate, positive and significant levels of correlation between the test dimensions and between the test and the three scales used to test criterion validity, had good internal consistency and construct, convergent and discriminant validity. The measurement invariance analysis compared the models progressively and showed good factorial invariance. Conclusion: The tmhhscg-cl shows adequate psychometric properties incorporating all the components of mhl. This will allow measuring the level of mhl, in order to develop prevention and promotion interventions in mental health in high school and university students.
a alfabetização em saúde mental (asm) é definida como o conhecimento e as crenças sobre perturbações mentais que ajudam no seu reconhecimento, gestão e prevenção. Procurámos traduzir, adaptar e validar o instrumento canadiano Test Mental Health & High School Curriculum Guide (tmhhscg) em estudantes chilenos do ensino secundário e universitários. Materiais e métodos: estudo de concepção instrumental em adolescentes (n = 454) e jovens adultos (n = 434). Foi realizado um processo de adapta-ção que consiste na tradução e retrotradução, entrevistas cognitivas e validação através da análise de fatores para critérios e construção de validade, análise de validade convergente e divergente, e análise de invariância fatorial. Resultados: as dimensões tmhhscg-cl que compreendem o asm (conhecimento sobre perturbações mentais e saúde mental, estigma para pessoas com perturbações mentais, e procura de ajuda) cumpriram a exigência de um fator maior ou igual a 0,3. Havia níveis moderados, positivos e significativos de correlação entre as dimensões do teste e entre o teste e as três escalas utilizadas para testar a validade dos critérios, boa consistência interna e validade construtiva, convergente e discrimi-nante. A análise da invariância das medições comparou progressivamente os modelos e mostrou uma boa invariância fatorial. Conclusão: o tmhhscg-cl mostra propriedades psicométricas adequadas incorpo-rando todos os componentes da asm. Isto permitir-nos-á medir o nível de asm a fim de desenvolver inter-venções de prevenção e promoção da saúde mental em estudantes do ensino secundário e universitário.
Subject(s)
Humans , Health , Disease Prevention , Health Literacy , Literacy , Health Promotion , Mental DisordersABSTRACT
During the sixties, the psychiatric care models evolved to a community care model, as a consequence of the asylum model failure. This new model assumes that psychosocial issues have a role, along with biological factors, in the development of mental diseases. In 2017 the National Mental health plan was created, based on this new model. It aimed to correct the flaws of the previous plan. We herein review this new plan, based on previous and international experiences. We also analyze the implementation of a community model of mental health care. The implementation of such a model without the support of the state and overlooking importance of mental health care, is extremely difficult.
Subject(s)
Humans , Mental Health , Mental Disorders , ChileABSTRACT
RESUMEN La perspectiva temporal se ha asociado a hábitos relacionados con salud. Específicamente, el futuro ha sido asociado a cambios en el estilo de vida como la incorporación de ejercicio físico. En cambio, el presente hedonista se ha asociado a la perdida sub-óptima de peso en pacientes bariátricos. Objetivo: Evaluar la relación entre las variables de la perspectiva temporal y el porcentaje de peso total perdido; su mantención o re-ganancia desde el nadir, en pacientes bariátricos. Material y métodos: Se aplicó a 97 pacientes bariátricos el Inventario de la Perspectiva Temporal de Zimbardo y Boyd, y un cuestionario de estilo de vida construido para esta investigación. Resultados: Un mayor porcentaje de peso total perdido se asoció significativamente a futuro (r= 0,221; p<0,05) y desviación del perfil temporal negativo (r= 0,324; p<0,05). La pérdida de peso insuficiente estuvo asociada al presente fatalista (t= −2,16; p= 0,033) y desviación del perfil temporal balanceado (t= −2,81; p= 0,006). La re-ganancia del %PTP se asoció significativamente a la desviación del perfil temporal balanceado (t= −2,09; p= 0,045) y al consumo de dulces (X2= 13,42; p= 0,009). Conclusiones: Una mayor desviación de la perspectiva temporal balanceada y un mayor consumo de dulces se asociaron a una pérdida de peso insuficiente y a la recuperación desde el nadir.
ABSTRACT Background: A person's perspective of time has been associated with health-related habits. Specifically, future has been associated with changes in lifestyle as well the incorporation of physical exercise. In contrast, current hedonism is associated with sub-optimal weight loss in bariatric patients. Aim: To evaluate the relationship between seven variables of a time perspective and percentage of total weight loss; maintenance or weight regain among bariatric patients. Material and Methods: A sample of 97 bariatric patients answered the Inventory of Temporary Orientation and lifestyle questionnaires. Results: A greater percentage of total weight loss was significantly associated with future (r= 0.221; p<0.05) and deviations from negative time profile (r= 0.324; p<0.05). Insufficient weight loss was associated with a fatalistic present (t= −2.16, p= 0.033) and deviations from a balanced time perspective (t= −2.81; p= 0.006). Regaining weight was significantly associated to deviations from a balanced time perspective (t= −2.09; p=0.045) and consumption of sweets (X2= 13.42; p= 0.009). Conclusions: Deviations from a balanced time perspective and consumption of sweets are associated with sub-optimal weight loss and regaining weight.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Young Adult , Body Weight Changes , Bariatric Surgery , Time Perception , Health Behavior , Weight Gain , Weight Loss , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Feeding Behavior , Life StyleABSTRACT
Resumen La cirugía bariátrica permite una pérdida ponderal significativa y acelerada en el corto plazo. La re-ganancia del peso se observa entre el 15 al 30% de los pacientes. Los factores psicológicos explicarían en mayor medida la recuperación del peso en pacientes bariátricos. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la capacidad predictiva de las variables "locus de control del peso", "perspectiva temporal" y "autoeficacia, para la re-ganancia del peso en pacientes bariátricos. Estudio multivariado predictivo. Se evalúo a 97 pacientes bariátricos. Los resultados indican que las variables psicológicas "locus de control", "presente fatalista" y "pasado positivo" explican el 27.1% de la varianza de la re-ganancia del peso (p<.001). Este modelo clasifica de forma correcta a un 88.7% de los pacientes. Las variables locus de control del peso, pasado positivo y presente fatalista predicen la re-ganancia del peso.
Abstract Bariatric surgery allows a significant and accelerated weight loss in the short term. The regain of the weight is observed between 15 to 30% of the patients. The psychological factors would explain to a greater extent the recovery of weight in bariatric patients. Aim: To evaluate the predictive capacity of the variables "locus of weight control", "temporal perspective" and "self-efficacy", for the re-gain of weight in bariatric patients. Method: Predictive multivariate study. A total of 97 bariatric patients were evaluated. Results: The psychological variables "locus of control", "present fatalist" and "positive past" explain 27.1% of the variance of the regain of weight (p <.001). This model correctly classifies 88.7% of patients. Conclusion: The variables locus of weight control, positive past and fatalistic present predict the regain of weight.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Psychology , Weights and Measures , Weight Loss , Bariatric SurgeryABSTRACT
Background Approximately 15 to 40% of bariatric patients regain a significant percentage of their weight lost after surgery. Among psychological variables, control and self-efficacy loci are associated with behaviors related to weight loss. Also, family support can be a risk or protection factor for the maintenance of weight loss. Aim To evaluate the association between psychological variables with weight maintenance or regain after bariatric surgery. Material and Methods We evaluated 97 patients at 4.1 ± 3.4 years after their bariatric surgery. They answered questionnaires about self-efficacy to lose weight, locus of weight control and family functioning style. Regain after surgery was also calculated, through self-report. Results Seventeen percent of patients gained weight. Locus of control (Z = -3.09, p < 0.01), family identity (Z = -3.71, p < 0.01) and self-efficacy (Z = -2.44, p = 0.01), differentiated patients who maintained weight loss from those who re-gained at least 15% of their lost weight. An inverse and significant relationship was observed between the percentage of weight regain and locus of control (r = -0.42, p < 0.01), family identity (r = -0.36, p < 0.01) and self-efficacy (r = -0.34, p <0.01). Conclusions The psychological variables "locus of weight control" and "family identity" are inversely and moderately associated with weight regain in patients subjected to bariatric surgery.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Obesity, Morbid/surgery , Obesity, Morbid/psychology , Weight Loss , Bariatric Surgery/psychology , Body Mass Index , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Cohort StudiesABSTRACT
Background: Simple and brief questionnaires with adequate psychometric properties are useful for the early detection of depressive disorders. Aim: To analyze the psychometric behavior of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) in Chile. Material and Methods: Data were collected from 1,738 adult patients, consulting in primary health care centers. The values obtained in the PHQ-9 were compared with those of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Results: The mean score of PHQ-9 was 4.85 ± 5.57. Internal consistency indices were high. McDonald's ω coefficient of was 0.90 and Cronbach alpha 0.89. A confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit of the one-dimensional model. Using a cutoff score of seven determined with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the sensitivity and specificity of the instrument were 0.8 and 0.7, when compared with CIDI diagnoses. Conclusions: PHQ-9 is a useful instrument for the screening of depressive disorders in primary health care centers in Chile.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Young Adult , Depressive Disorder/diagnosis , Patient Health Questionnaire , Primary Health Care , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Psychometrics , Reference Values , Severity of Illness Index , Reproducibility of Results , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objective To understand the mental health treatment gap in the Region of the Americas by examining the prevalence of mental health disorders, use of mental health services, and the global burden of disease. Methods Data from community-based surveys of mental disorders in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and the United States were utilized. The World Mental Health Survey published data were used to estimate the treatment gap. For Canada, Chile, and Guatemala, the treatment gap was calculated from data files. The mean, median, and weighted treatment gap, and the 12-month prevalence by severity and category of mental disorder were estimated for the general adult, child-adolescent, and indigenous populations. Disability-adjusted Life Years and Years Lived with Disability were calculated from the Global Burden of Disease study. Results Mental and substance use disorders accounted for 10.5% of the global burden of disease in the Americas. The 12-month prevalence rate of severe mental disorders ranged from 2% - 10% across studies. The weighted mean treatment gap in the Americas for moderate to severe disorders was 65.7%; North America, 53.2%; Latin America, 74.7%; Mesoamerica, 78.7%; and South America, 73.1%. The treatment gap for severe mental disorders in children and adolescents was over 50%. One-third of the indigenous population in the United States and 80% in Latin America had not received treatment. Conclusion The treatment gap for mental health remains a public health concern. A high proportion of adults, children, and indigenous individuals with serious mental illness remains untreated. The result is an elevated prevalence of mental disorders and global burden of disease.
RESUMEN Objetivo Comprender la brecha en el tratamiento de la salud mental en la Región de las Américas mediante la revisión de la prevalencia de los trastornos de salud mental, el uso de los servicios de salud mental y la carga mundial de enfermedad. Métodos Se utilizaron datos de encuestas comunitarias de trastornos mentales de Argentina, Brasil, Canadá, Chile, Colombia, Estados Unidos, Guatemala, México y Perú. Se emplearon los datos publicados de la Encuesta Mundial de Salud Mental para estimar la brecha de tratamiento. Para Canadá, Chile y Guatemala, la brecha de tratamiento se calculó a partir de los archivos de datos. Se estimaron la brecha de tratamiento media, media ponderada, y mediana, y la prevalencia de 12 meses por gravedad y categoría de trastorno mental para las poblaciones generales de adultos, niños y adolescentes, e indígenas. Se calcularon los años de vida ajustados por discapacidad y los años vividos con discapacidad a partir del estudio Carga Global de Enfermedad. Resultados Los trastornos mentales y por consumo de sustancias representaron el 10,5% de la carga mundial de enfermedad en las Américas. La tasa de prevalencia de 12 meses de los trastornos mentales severos varió del 2% al 10% en los estudios. La brecha de tratamiento media ponderada en las Américas para los trastornos moderados a graves fue del 65,7%; en América del Norte de 53,2%; en América Latina de 74,7%; en Mesoamérica de 78,7%; y en América del Sur de 73,1%. La brecha de tratamiento para los trastornos mentales graves en niños y adolescentes fue superior al 50%. Un tercio de la población indígena en los Estados Unidos y el 80% en América Latina no recibieron tratamiento. Conclusión La brecha de tratamiento para la salud mental sigue siendo un problema de salud pública. Una gran proporción de adultos, niños y personas indígenas con enfermedades mentales graves continúan sin tratamiento. El resultado implica una prevalencia elevada de trastornos mentales y de la carga mundial de enfermedad.
RESUMO Objetivo Compreender a lacuna de tratamento em saúde mental na Região das Américas examinando a prevalência de transtornos mentais, o uso de serviços de saúde mental e a carga global de doença. Métodos Foram utilizados dados de inquéritos comunitários de transtornos mentais na Argentina, Brasil, Canadá, Chile, Colômbia, Guatemala, México, Peru e Estados Unidos. Os dados publicados na Pesquisa Mundial de Saúde Mental foram utilizados para estimar a lacuna de tratamento. Para o Canadá, Chile e Guatemala, a lacuna de tratamento foi calculada a partir de arquivos de dados. A lacuna de tratamento média, média ponderada e mediana, e a prevalência de 12 meses por gravidade e categoria de transtorno mental foram estimadas para as populações adulta, infantil-adolescente e indígena em geral. Os anos de vida ajustados por incapacidade e os anos de vida com incapacidade foram calculados a partir do estudo Carga Global de Doença. Resultados Os transtornos mentais e de uso de substâncias foram responsáveis por 10,5% da carga global de doença nas Américas. A taxa de prevalência de 12 meses de transtornos mentais graves variou de 2% a 10% entre os estudos. A lacuna de tratamento média ponderada nas Américas para transtornos moderados a graves foi de 65,7%; em América do Norte de 53,2%; em América Latina de 74,7%; em Mesoamérica de 78,7%; e na América do Sul de 73,1%. A lacuna de tratamento para transtornos mentais graves em crianças e adolescentes foi superior a 50%. Um terço da população indígena nos Estados Unidos e 80% na América Latina não recebeu tratamento. Conclusão A lacuna de tratamento para a saúde mental continua sendo uma preocupação de saúde pública. Uma alta proporção de adultos, crianças e indígenas com doença mental grave permanece sem tratamento. O resultado é uma elevada prevalência de transtornos mentais e de carga global de doença.
Subject(s)
Professional Practice Gaps , Mental Disorders , Mental Health Services , AmericasABSTRACT
La OMS coloca a Chile entre los países con mayor carga de morbilidad por enfermedades psiquiátricas (23,2%) en el mundo. La depresión mayor y los trastornos por consumo de alcohol ocupan el primer y segundo lugar en las discapacidades atribuidas entre adultos. Casi un tercio de la población mayor de 15 años ha sufrido un trastorno psiquiátrico en su lapso de vida y un 22,2% ha tenido uno durante el año pasado. Los trastornos de ansiedad son los más prevalentes, seguidos por depresión mayor y trastornos por consumo de alcohol. Solo el 38,5% de quienes han sido diagnosticados reciben algún tipo de servicio de salud mental, ya sea de un especialista o un médico de atención primaria. En niños y adolescentes, la prevalencia de cualquier trastorno psiquiátrico es de 22,5% (19,3% para niños y 25,8% para niñas). Estos trastornos son principalmente de ansiedad y disruptivos. La prevalencia es más alta entre niños de cuatro a once años de edad (27,8%) que entre aquellos de 12 a 18 años, y esta diferencia se debe principalmente a trastornos disruptivos. La prevalencia de trastornos de ansiedad es la segunda más alta, aunque menos asociada con discapacidades, mientras que muchos niños y adolescentes con trastornos afectivos están discapacitados y solo un quinto de las personas con necesidad de servicios buscan alguna forma de asistencia. Casi un cuarto de aquellos que usan los servicios no presentaron diagnóstico psiquiátrico durante el año pasado. La comorbilidad ocurre en el 27% de aquellas personas que presentan trastornos, pero solo el 7% tienen tres o más diagnósticos. No abordar la brecha de tratamiento en salud mental tiene serias implicaciones en la salud pública.
WHO places Chile among countries with greater morbidity burden for psychiatric diseases in the world (23,2%). Major depression and alcohol consumption disorders hold the first and second place in disabilities attributed to adults. Almost a third of the population older than 15 years have suffered a psychiatric disorder during life span and 22,2% persons have had one in the last year. Anxiety disorders have more prevalence, followed by major depression and alcohol consumption disorders. Only 38,5% of those diagnosed receive some type of mental health care, by an specialist or a primary health care physician. In children and adolescent, prevalence of any psychiatric disorder is 22,5% (19,3% for boys and 25,8% for girls). These disorders are mainly disruptive and of anxiety. Prevalence is higher for children between 4 to 11 years (27,8%) than between 12 and 18 years, and this difference is due mainly to disruptive disorders. Prevalence of anxiety disorders is the second highest, even though less associated with disabilities, while many children and adolescents with affective disorders are disabled and only a fifth of persons with health care needs look for some form of care. Almost a fourth of those that use health care services did not present psychiatric diagnosis during last year. Co morbidity occurs in 27% of those with disorders, but only 7% have three or more diagnosis. Not addressing treatment gap in mental health has serious implications in public health.
A OMS coloca o Chile entre os países com maior carga de morbidade por enfermidades psiquiátricas (23,2%) no mundo. A depressão maior e os transtornos por consumo de álcool ocupam o primeiro e segundo lugar nas descapacidades atribuidas entre adultos. Quase um terço da população maior de 15 anos tem sofrido um transtorno psiquiátrico em seu lapso de vida e cerca de 22,2% tiveram um durante o ano passado. Os transtornos de ansiedade são os mais prevalentes, seguidos por depressão maior e transtornos por consumo de álcool. Somente 38,5% daqueles que foram diagnosticados recebem algum tipo de serviço de saúde mental, seja de um especialista ou de um médico de atenção primária. Em crianças e adolescentes, a prevalência de qualquer transtorno psiquiátrico é de 22,5% (19,3% para meninos e 25,8% para meninas). Estes transtornos são principalmente de ansiedade e disruptivos. A prevalência é mais alta entre meninos de quatro a onze anos de idade (27,8%) do que entre aqueles de 12 a 18 anos, e esta diferença se deve principalmente a transtornos disruptivos. A prevalência de transtornos de ansiedade é a segunda mais alta, embora menos associada com descapacidades, enquanto muitos meninos e adolescentes com transtornos afetivos estão descapacitados e somente um quinto das pessoas com necessidade de serviços busca alguma forma de assistência. Quase um quarto daqueles que usam os serviços não apresentou diagnóstico psiquiátrico durante o ano passado. A comorbidade ocorre em 27% daquelas pessoas que apresentam transtornos, porém só 7% têm três ou mais diagnósticos. Não abordar a lacuna de tratamento em saúde mental tem sérias implicações para a saúde pública.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Adolescent , Adult , Mental Health , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Chile/epidemiology , Prevalence , Health Status Disparities , Mental Health Services/supply & distributionABSTRACT
Background: Screening instruments are required for the detection of depressive disorders by primary care practitioners. Aim: To develop a screening instrument to detect depression, based on data gathered interviewing patients attending primary health care settings. Material and Methods: The instrument was constructed with data about factors associated or triggering a depressive disorder obtained from 3,000 patients consulting for general morbidity. All patients answered the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, (version 2.1, section depression) and an inventory containing 39 risk factors for depression, obtained from the literature. A multiple imputation method using chained equations was carried out. Using a binary logistic regression with backward selection, an equation for depression screening was obtained. The c-index was calculated to estimate discriminating power of the model. A shrinkage factor was estimated to adjust the predictive model. Results: Estimations were carried out with data from 2,552 patients with a median age of 47 years (73% women). Fifty five percent lived with a partner and 45% had basic studies. The method selected 14 significant predictors, with a shrinkage value of 0.861 and a c-index of 0.838 (95% confidence intervals 0.82-0.86). Conclusions: The instrument has adequate psychometric properties as a screening tool for depression in primary health care.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Adult , Primary Health Care , Mass Screening/instrumentation , Depression/diagnosis , Psychometrics , Socioeconomic Factors , Chile , Cross-Sectional Studies , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Background: Serotonin plays a central role regulating mood and on the development of depressive disorders. Aim: To study whether 5HTTLPR functional polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter gene or the Monoamine oxidase A gene (uMAOA) were risk markers for depression. Material and Methods: The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was applied to 1,062 consultants in primary health care centers aged between 18 and 75 years to establish the diagnosis of depression. A sample of saliva was obtained for DNA extraction and genetic analyses. Results: No association between the presence of depressive disorders and 5HTTLPR (ss) or uMAOA (3/3) risk genotypes was found. Psychological abuse and the presence of two or more life events were found to be predictors of depression in the studied sample. Conclusions: In this study, 5HTTLPR and uMAOA polymorphisms were not risk factors for depression. However, psychological abuse and the presence of two or more life events were risk factors for depressive disorders.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Depression/genetics , Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics , Monoamine Oxidase/genetics , Polymorphism, Genetic/genetics , Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics , Biomarkers , Depression/psychology , Genotype , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Socioeconomic Factors , Stress, Psychological/complicationsABSTRACT
ADHD prevalence, associated factors, comorbidity and service use are reported for a sample of 1,558 children and adolescents, belonging to four provinces in Chile. The sample is weighted in each step for selection bias. Psychiatric disorders and impairment are assessed with computerized in-home DISC-IV interviews, and a questionnaire regarding socioeconomic and family variables and service use. Estimates of prevalence rates are obtained by means of STATA 11.0 software, with complex sample design. Multivariate logistic regression is used to determine which factors were the best predictors for mental disorders. Participation rate is 82.4 %. The prevalence of ADHD is 10 %, and the most prevalent subtype is the hyperactive/impulsive, with no gender differences. Both hyperactive/impulsive and combined subtypes are more prevalent in children 4-11 than in adolescents. The most prevalent comorbidities are anxiety disorders and oppositional disorder. Anxiety is the more prevalent comorbid disorder in girls and correlated with a combined subtype. Perception of good family functioning, adolescent age and school dropout have a negative association with ADHD diagnosis, while maltreatment shows a positive correlation. Over 50 % of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD have used services in the last year. This is the first comprehensive community study of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents in a South American country. It yields information for child and adolescent mental health programmes in Chile and contributes to cross-cultural epidemiological research. Key words: Psychiatric epidemiology, ADHD prevalence, Cross-cultural epidemiology, Infant and child Psychiatry.
Se describe la prevalencia del TDAH, los factores asociados, la comorbilidad y el uso de servicios, en una muestra de 1.558 niños y adolescentes, pertenecientes a cuatro provincias de Chile. En cada etapa del diseño muestral, se efectúa un pesaje para manejar el sesgo de selección. La presencia de trastornos psiquiátricos y la discapacidad son evaluados en el hogar, a través de la entrevista computarizada DISC-IV y de un cuestionario sobre variables socioeconómicas y familiares, junto al uso de los servicios. Las estimaciones de las tasas de prevalencia son obtenidas, por medio de un software, STATA 11.0, con diseño de muestra complejo. Se utilizó la regresión logística multivariada, para determinar qué factores eran los mejores predictores para trastornos mentales. La tasa de participación es del 82.4%. La prevalencia del TDAH es del 10%, y el subtipo de mayor prevalencia, es el hiperactivo / impulsivo, sin diferencias de género. Ambos subtipos hiperactivo/ impulsivo y combinado, demuestran mayor prevalencia en niños de 4-11 años, que en adolescentes. Las comorbilidades más frecuentes, son los trastornos de ansiedad y el trastorno oposicionista. La ansiedad, es la comorbilidad más frecuente del trastorno en las niñas y se correlacionó con el subtipo combinado. La percepción de un buen funcionamiento familiar, la edad de los adolescentes y la deserción escolar disminuyen el riesgo de presentar TDAH, mientras que el antecedente de maltrato lo aumenta. Más del 50% de los niños y adolescentes que han sido diagnosticados con TDAH, han utilizado servicios en el último año. Este es el primer estudio amplio en la comunidad, en trastornos psiquiátricos en niños y adolescentes, en un país de América del Sur. Ofrece información para programas de Salud Mental en Niños y Adolescentes en Chile y contribuye a la investigación epidemiológica transcultural. Palabras clave: Epidemiología psiquiátrica, Prevalencia del TDAH, Epidemiología transcultural, Psiquiatría del Niño y el Adolescente.
ABSTRACT
Background: The reduction of major depression incidence is a public health challenge. Aim: To develop an algorithm to estimate the risk of occurrence of major depression in patients attending primary health centers (PHC). Material and Methods: Prospective cohort study of a random sample of 2832 patients attending PHC centers in Concepción, Chile, with evaluations at baseline, six and twelve months. Thirty nine known risk factors for depression were measured to build a model, using a logistic regression. The algorithm was developed in 2,133 patients not depressed at baseline and compared with risk algorithms developed in a sample of 5,216 European primary care attenders. The main outcome was the incidence of major depression in the follow-up period. Results: The cumulative incidence of depression during the 12 months follow up in Chile was 12%. Eight variables were identified. Four corresponded to the patient (gender, age, depression background and educational level) and four to patients' current situation (physical and mental health, satisfaction with their situation at home and satisfaction with the relationship with their partner). The C-Index, used to assess the discriminating power of the final model, was 0.746 (95% confidence intervals (CI = 0,707-0,785), slightly lower than the equation obtained in European (0.790 95% CI = 0.767-0.813) and Spanish attenders (0.82; 95% CI = 0.79-0.84). Conclusions: Four of the factors identified in the risk algorithm are not modifiable. The other two factors are directly associated with the primary support network (family and partner). This risk algorithm for the incidence of major depression provides a tool that can guide efforts towards design, implementation and evaluation of effectiveness of interventions to prevent major depression.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Algorithms , Depressive Disorder, Major/epidemiology , Primary Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Chile/epidemiology , Depressive Disorder, Major/diagnosis , Epidemiologic Methods , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
Background: Suicidal behavior ranges from ideation to consummation of suicide. In Chile, rates of suicide increased from 4.8 to 12.7/100,000 in the period 1992-2009. Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of suicidal behavior and its relationship with sociodemographic factors and psychiatric diseases. Material and Methods: The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), was applied to a representative sample of 2,978 Chilean participants. The prevalence of four suicidal behaviors (thinking about or wishing death, suicide ideation and suicide attempts) and of psychiatric diseases according to the revised third version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM III-R), was calculated. Results: The lifetime prevalence of suicidal conception was 14.3% and the suicide attempt 7.7%, the latest associated with sex, age, school years, smoking habits, being married or having a relationship, depressive disorders, dysthymia, and alcohol, drug and tobacco dependence. Conclusions: Rates founded exceed international prevalence data and extrapolated to current rates of completed suicide, higher levels of suicidal behavior should be expected. Considering the associated disorders we can infer that it is essential a correct diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders and substance consumption to any other specific interventions.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Suicidal Ideation , Suicide, Attempted/statistics & numerical data , Age Distribution , Chile/epidemiology , Mental Disorders/psychology , Prevalence , Sex Distribution , Socioeconomic Factors , Substance-Related Disorders/psychology , Suicide, Attempted/psychologyABSTRACT
Los procesos de reestructuración de los servicios de atención en salud mental, han abierto el espacio a la investigación sobre la llamada epidemiología de servicios. En este artículo se discuten los límites de este ámbito de investigación, su relación con la gestión, y los modelos que han permitido su desarrollo. Asimismo, se revisan resultados de investigaciones nacionales en las distintas dimensiones, siguiendo el modelo de Matriz de Salud Mental de Thornicroft y Tansella (1999), la complementariedad de la información, los avances y desafíos.
Re-modelling mental health services has opened the way for research on the so-called healthcare epidemiology. This article discusses the limits of this research field, its relationship with management and mentions the models that have made possible its development. Likewise, results from national studies are reviewed that cover different dimensions in accordance with the The Mental Health Matrix (Thornicroft and Tansella, 1999), information complementarity, and progress made and pending challenges.
Subject(s)
Health Services Research , Health Services Research , Mental Health Services , Chile , Mental HealthABSTRACT
Background: Psychiatric disorders that appear during childhood or adolescence should be a public health priority. Aim: To report the results of a national representative survey in the Latin American region examinig the prevalence of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. Material and Methods: Subjects aged 4 to 18 years were selected using a stratified multistage design. The Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV (DISC-IV) was used to obtain 12-month DSM-IV diagnoses, and was supplemented with questionnaires examining family riskfactors, socioeconomic status and service use. Results: A sample of1558 children and adolescents (51% males) was evaluated. Fifty three percent of the sample were children aged 4 to 11 years and the rest were adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. The prevalence rate for any psychiatric disorder without impairment was 38.3% (33.5% for boys and 43.3% for girls). The prevalence rate was higher among children as compared to adolescents (42.9% and 33.2%, respectively). A third of participants receiving a diagnosis sought some form of assistance. Nearly a quarter of those using services, did not have a psychiatric diagnosis in the past year. Comorbidity was found in 27% of those with a disorder, but only 7% had three or more diagnoses. Conclusions: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Chile is high among children and adolescents. This study highlights the increasing need to re-evaluate mental health services provided to children and adolescents in our country.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Chile/epidemiology , Comorbidity , Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Mental Disorders/classification , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Mental Health Services , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Sex Factors , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
Background: Epidemiologic studies may be used as a starting point to improve interventions and improve diagnosis, with instruments that are both reliable and adequate. Aim: To analyze the psychometric properties of the Attention Defcit Disorder Evaluation Scale (ADDES) in Chilean primary and high school students. Material and Methods: The ADDES was applied by 142 teachers to 254 students. Attention Defcit Disorder was already diagnosed in 144 students. Explanatory and confirmatory factorial analyses were carried out. Results: Confirmatory Factorial Analysis (CFA) proved that the model suggested by the authors could not be replicated in the Chilean sample. Exploratory Factorial Analysis (EFA) showed that three new factors came out of the analysis. CFA was applied to the new model and modification indexes suggested the introduction of new saturations. Based on the model with the best goodness-of-fit, psychometric characteristics were evaluated. Conclusions: The ADDES adapted to the Chilean context has a high reliability and a strong discrimination ability, allowing the evaluation of behavior disorders, hyperactivity/impulsivity and attention deficit.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/diagnosis , Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/epidemiology , Chile/epidemiology , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Psychometrics , Reproducibility of Results , Students/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
Beginning with the concept of evaluation, several approaches to outcomes or results evaluation are reviewed: clinical measurement, quality of life, and willing-ness to pay. Clinical measurement is the simplest and most available, but is limited when 1) establishing the effects of comparable interventions for different pathologies, 2) detecting different degrees of improvement achieved, and 3) identifying the result of interventions measured in variables associated to patient lifestyle and quality of life. When the health services measure the quality of life, the results of the intervention are subjectively evaluated by the patient with respect to wellbeing and satisfaction. The measurement of quality of life can be considered specific, generic or based on utility to the extent that it is based on the estimation of a specific variable such as the perception of pain, the patients general state of health, or the estimation of uses normative values based in preference studies at the population level, respecti-vely. The method of willingness to pay values the life according to the amount that individuals are willing to pay for a change that reduces the possibility of sickness and death, assuming that patients prefer those procedures to which they assigned the highest value. This evaluation of outcomes incorporates more than just strictly health considerations and expresses results in monetary terms, which facilitates cost-beneft analysis. Additionally, the results can be measured at a macro, national level; at a meso-scale, referring to the health systems of a determined territory; and at the level of the users. Finally, evaluating results or outcomes in order to determine the interventions effectiveness should be associated to its cost and must be studied using research designs that guarantee that the changes have sufficient time to appear and are observables. The monitoring period should be sufficiently long to explain the different results observed in the studies.
A partir del concepto de evaluación, se revisan distintas aproximaciones a los procesos de evaluación de resultados. Éstas incluyen la medición desde el punto de vista clínico, de calidad de vida, y de disponibilidad de pago. El punto de vista clínico resulta más simple y disponible, pero limitado al momento de establecer efectos de intervenciones comparables entre distintas patologías, de detectar los distintos grados de mejoría alcanzados y de dar cuenta del resultado de intervenciones medidas en variables asociadas al estilo y calidad de vida de los pacientes. Desde la perspectiva de calidad de vida relativa a la salud se busca evaluar los resultados que las intervenciones sanitarias tienen sobre la percepción subjetiva relacionada con bienestar y satisfacción. La calidad de vida puede ser considerada específica, genérica o basada en la utilidad. En el primer caso, la medida se basa en una variable específica, como la percepción de dolor; si la aproximación es genérica apunta al estado de salud general del paciente; y si se basa en la utilidad usa valores normativos basados en estudios de preferencia de nivel poblacional. La aproximación de disponibilidad de pago permite valorar la vida según lo que los individuos están dispuestos a pagar por un cambio que reduce la probabilidad de enfermedad o la muerte, asumiendo que aquellos procedimientos a los que se asigna mayor valor son los que el usuario prefere. Permite incorporar valores que van más allá de lo sanitario y expresar resultados en términos monetarios, lo que facilita el análisis de costo-beneficio. Desde otra perspectiva, las medidas de resultados pueden incluir un nivel macro, nacional; una perspectiva meso, referida a los sistemas sanitarios de un determinado territorio; y la perspectiva de los usuarios. Finalmente, el estudio de resultados como derivado de la efectividad de la intervención debe asociarse al costo de ésta y ha de ser estudiado usando diseños de investigación que aseguren un tiempo de seguimiento suficiente que garantice que los cambios puedan ocurrir y sean observables. La longitud del seguimiento explica las diferencias observadas en los resultados de algunos estudios.
ABSTRACT
Background: The knowledge about prevalence of psychiatric disorders in all age groups is fundamental to plan an adequate mental health care. Aim: To determine the prevalence of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders in a representative sample of children and adolescents living in the province of Cautin, Chile. Material and Methods: Subjects aged between 4 and 18 years were selected in an aleatory stratified multistage fashion. As part of a national sample, four counties in Cautín were selected, then blocks, homes and the child or adolescent to be interviewed. Psychology graduate students applied the Spanish computer version of DISC-IV, as well as a questionnaire on family risk factors, socioeconomic index and service use. Results: A sample of 272 children and adolescents was evaluated, obtaining 93,4 percent of participation. Using the most stringent impairment algorithm, the prevalence rate for any psychiatric disorder was 16.8 percent, being 16.5 percent in boys and 17.1 percent in girls and mainly explained by anxiety and affective disorders. Prevalence was practically the same in the group aged 4 to 11 years than in those aged 12 to 18 years (16.7 percent and 16.8 percent respectively). Prevalence of anxiety disorders was the highest, but less associated with impairment. On the other hand, all children and adolescents with affective disorders were impaired. Conclusions: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Cautín is high in children and adolescents.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Age Distribution , Chile/epidemiology , Prevalence , Surveys and Questionnaires , Sex Distribution , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
In the last decade, our understanding of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has progressed from studies of war veterans and specific disaster victims to studies that examine the epidemiology of PTSD in the United States (USA) population. Epidemiologic data on PTSD in developing countries is an understudied area with the majority of studies were developed in the USA and other developed countries. Of the few epidemiological surveys undertaken in other countries, most of them have focused its interest on the prevalence rates of PTSD and its risk factors for following specific traumatic events. Besides increasing the international normative and descriptive data base on PTSD, an examination of prevalence rates and risk factors for PTSD in a socio-political and cultural context (that is markedly different to established market economies) can deepen our understanding of the phenomenology and determinants of PTSD. Although many psychiatric diagnoses can be related with previous traumatic experiences, PTSD has been identified as a disorder that requires a previous traumatic exposure for its diagnosis. A growing literature strongly suggests that early exposure to traumatic events disrupts crucial normal stages of childhood development and predisposes children to subsequent psychiatric sequelae. A series of epidemiological studies has demonstrated that childhood sexual abuse is associated with a range of psychiatric disorders in adulthood that includes mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, even after adjusting for possible confounds, such as family factors and parental psychopathological disorders or other childhood adversities. There is little evidence of diagnostic specificity of childhood sexual abuse, although a consistent finding has been that alcohol and drug disorders are more strongly related to childhood sexual abuse than other psychiatric disorders. Other forms of childhood traumas have been less well studied. This article reviews the findings of an epidemiological study that took place in Chile and examined prevalence rates of PTSD, traumatic events most often associated with PTSD, comorbidity of PTSD with other lifetime psychiatric disorders, gender differences in PTSD as well as trauma exposure in a representative sample of Chileans. This article also reported a comparison of prevalence rates of various psychiatric disorders among persons who reported the first trauma during their childhood, those who reported the first trauma during their adulthood, and those with no trauma history. The study was based on a household-stratified sample of people defined by the health service system to be adults (aged 15 years and older). The study was designed to represent the population of Chile. This analysis is limited to three geographically distinct provinces, chosen as being representative of the distribution of much of the population. The interviews were administered to a representative sample of 2390 persons aged 15 to over 64 years. The measures used were the DSM-III-R PTSD and antisocial personality disorder modules from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule and modules for a range of DSM-III-R diagnoses from the Composite International Diagnostic. Traumatic events were categorized into one of 11 categories: military combat, rape, physical assault, seeing someone hurt or killed, disaster, threat, narrow escape, sudden injury/ accident, news of a sudden death or accident, other event (e.g. kidnapping, torture), or other experience. The translation into Spanish was conducted using the protocol outlined by the World Health Organization. The interviewers were all university students in their senior year studying social sciences. Taylor series linearization method was used to estimate the standard errors due to the sample design and the need for weighting. The analysis was conducted using procedures without replacement for non-respondents. The region, province, comuna, and district selected were used as the defined strata. Logistic regression with the corresponding 95% confidence interval was used to examine associations among PTSD, demographic risk factors, and trauma type. To examine whether the association between PTSD and gender could be explained by other risk factors, multivariate logistic regression analyses were also conducted. The first analysis found that the lifetime prevalence of PTSD was 4.4% (2.5% for men and 6.2% for women). Among the traumatic events, rape was most strongly associated with PTSD diagnosis. Among those exposed to traumas, women were significantly more likely to develop PTSD than men, after controlling for assaultive violence. The second analysis revealed that exposure to a lifetime trauma was associated with a higher probability of psychiatric morbidity in comparison with no trauma exposure. Traumas with childhood onset were significantly related to lifetime panic disorder, independent of number of lifetime traumas and demographic differences. This revealed that women had more probabilities than men of developing PTSD once they are exposed to trauma, independent of previous traumas, experiences of sexual assault, other violent experiences or level of education. Some authors have proposed that women have a higher vulnerability than men to develop PTSD and that there are sex differences in brain morphology, in the social interpretation of trauma, or/and in the peritraumatic dissociative experience. Although many theories have been proposed to explain this gender difference in PTSD, more research is needed to evaluate them empirically. This study highlights the importance of investigating the prevalence of PTSD, the patterns of comorbidity of PTSD, as well as gender differences of PTSD in non-English speaking countries. Although Chile has a different historical and socio-cultural context with respect to other countries in which the epidemiology of PTSD has been examined, in general, this study achieved similar results as those found in other studies. The results showed that PTSD is not an uncommon psychiatric illness, it is associated with a high degree of psychiatric comorbidity, it is more likely to predate other psychiatric disorders. Also, the results showed that men are more likely to be exposed to traumas than women, women are more likely than men to develop PTSD, and that PTSD is associated with relatively high treatment utilization. However, compared to another country in Latin America, such as Mexico, Chile has a lower prevalence of PTSD and trauma exposure, which may due to socio-economic factors, such as less inequity between the wealthy and the poor and less violence, crime, and poverty in Chile than Mexico. These studies also suggest that traumatic events that occur in childhood are related to specific disorders rather than those that occurred later in life. Individuals with childhood interpersonal trauma exposure are more likely to suffer from lifetime panic disorder, agoraphobia or PTSD compared to those who experience interpersonal trauma as an adult. However, research should examine the specificity of these disorders in relation to various types of childhood traumas. Limitations of the current study include the use of lay interviewers who, despite acceptable levels of reliability and validity, may be less accurate than clinicians as interviewers. Also the retrospective recall of lifetime disorders is likely to be less accurate than a more recent time frame. The sample used in this study does not show nation wide perspective, because the Southern portion of the country which includes much of the indigenous population was excluded. This study, like most epidemiological studies, did not use an-depth or validated index of trauma, which may have diluted findings. Since this study was cross-sectional, a direct cause-effect relationship cannot be assumed between trauma exposure and subsequent disorders.
Durante la década de 1990 en los Estados Unidos (EU), el conocimiento sobre el trastorno de estrés post-traumático (TEPT) evolucionó de estudios específicos en un principio, sobre veteranos de guerra y sobre víctimas de desastres, a estudios epidemiológicos más tarde, sin embargo, la epidemiología del TEPT en países en desarrollo ha sido un área poco estudiada hasta ahora. Los expertos en el área de trauma han propuesto que los sucesos traumáticos que ocurren en la niñez son más perjudiciales para la salud mental que aquellos que ocurren más tarde en la vida. Este trabajo revisa los resultados de un estudio epidemiológico llevado a cabo en Chile. Específicamente, se revisan los resultados sobre las tasas de prevalencia del TEPT, traumas asociados más frecuentemente con él, así como la comorbilidad de este trastorno con otros trastornos psiquiátricos a lo largo de la vida. Igualmente se analizaron las diferencias del TEPT en cada sexo, así como la exposición a traumas en una muestra representativa de chilenos. Además se comparó la prevalencia de trastornos psiquiátricos en personas que sufrieron su primer trauma durante la niñez, durante la edad adulta, o que no reportaron traumas durante su vida. En estos estudios epidemiológicos se usaron módulos del TEPT y trastorno de personalidad antisocial (TPA) de la entrevista diagnóstica siguiendo los criterios del DSM-III-R (DIS-III-R). Para evaluar el resto de los trastornos psiquiátricos se usó la Entrevista Diagnóstica Internacional Compuesta (CIDI). Estos instrumentos fueron administrados en tres ciudades chilenas a 2390 personas mayores de 15 años. Para estimar los errores estándares (EE) debido al diseño de la muestra y a la necesidad de ajuste se usó el método Taylor de linearización seriada. También se usó un análisis de regresión logística para examinar la relación entre el TEPT, los factores demográficos de riesgo y el tipo de trauma. Además se utilizó la regresión logística multivariada para evaluar si la relación entre el TEPT y el sexo pudiera ser explicada por medio de otros factores de riesgo, así como para calcular las tasas y la oportunidad relativa (razón de productos cruzados) de trastornos psiquiátricos a lo largo de la vida. El primer análisis arrojó que la prevalencia de TEPT a lo largo de la vida fue de 4.4% (2.5% para hombres y 6.2% para mujeres). De los hechos traumáticos reportados, la violación sexual tuvo una correlación más alta con el TEPT que los demás hechos traumáticos. Las mujeres tuvieron más probabilidades de experimentar TEPT que los hombres, después de controlar la variable asalto violento. El segundo análisis evidenció que los que habían sufrido traumas a lo largo de la vida tuvieron mayor probabilidad de tener un trastorno psiquiátrico en comparación con aquellos que no reportaron traumas. También se encontró que los que sufrieron su primer trauma durante la infancia tuvieron más probabilidad de desarrollar trastornos de pánico a lo largo de la vida que aquellos que sufrieron su primer trauma en la edad adulta, independientemente del número de traumas que sufrieron y de las diferencias demográficas. Aunque Chile tiene un contexto histórico-cultural y una economía diferente a otros países en los que se ha estudiado anteriormente la epidemiología del TEPT, el presente estudio reflejó tendencias similares a las reportadas en estudios previos. Los hallazgos expuestos enfatizan la importancia de investigar la prevalencia del TEPT, los patrones de comorbilidad del TEPT y las diferencias de sexo en la prevalencia del TEPT en diferentes países. También estos resultados sugieren que los sucesos traumáticos en la infancia (y no en la adultez) pueden estar relacionados con la ocurrencia de trastornos psiquiátricos específicos.
ABSTRACT
Introducción: La forma como se conducen las investigaciones en epidemiología psiquiátrica en América Latina ha impedido que los resultados sean ampliamente conocidos; además, se han realizado pocos estudios comparativos. Objetivo: Comparar y analizar la prevalencia de trastornos psiquiátricos en Latinoamérica. Metodología: Revisión y comparación de estudios latinoamericanos. Resultados: Estudios de tercera generación llevados a cabo sobre muestras de población general en América Latina destacan tasas semejantes de depresión mayor, exceptuando un estudio en Colombia. Se observan mayores tasas de uso de alcohol o de trastornos asociados en Colombia y en un estudio en Lima. Tres estudios realizados en Estados Unidos con hispanos muestran consistentemente tasas mayores de problemas relacionados con el alcohol que los encontrados en todos los estudios realizados en Suramérica. La tasa de trastornos ansiosos en Chile fue más alta que la de depresión mayor, lo cual es replicado en otros estudios de la subregión sur. La baja tasa de comorbilidad en el estudio chileno se replica en Ciudad de México. Las tasas de uso de servicios de Estados Unidos, México y Chile no parecen diferir significativamente. Conclusiones: Se requieren medidas objetivas de discapacidad y análisis más precisos acerca de las necesidades de uso de servicios, comorbilidad médica y prevalencia de tasas de enfermedad mental grave.
Introduction: The way in which research on psychiatric epidemiology has been conducted in Latin America has impaired results from being widely known; additionally, few comparative studies have been carried out. Objective: To compare and analyze the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Latin America. Methods: Review and comparison of Latin- American studies. Results: Third generation studies carried out within samples of the general population in Latin America note similar rates of mayor depression, with the exception of a study in Colombia. Higher rates of alcohol use or related disorders were observed in Colombia and in a study in Lima. Three studies conducted in the United States with hispanics consistently show higher rates of alcohol-related problems than those found in all the studies done in South America. The rate of anxiety disorders in Chile was found to be higher than that of mayor depression, a finding that is replicated in other south sub-region studies. the low rate of comorbidity in the chilea study is replicated in Mexico city. the rates of use of services in the united states, Mexico and Chile do no seem to differ significantly. Conclusions: Objective incapacity measurements and more precise analysis on the needs of use of services, medical comorbidity and prevalence of rates on serious mental illness are required.