Psychiatric hospital reform in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review of literature

Time trends in anxiety disorders incidence across the BRICS: an age-period-cohort analysis for the GBD 2021

Background

Anxiety disorders are a significant global mental health concern, contributing to substantial disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and imposing considerable social and economic burdens. Understanding the epidemiology of anxiety disorders within the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russian Federation, India, China, and South Africa) is essential due to their unique socio-economic landscapes and ongoing transformations.

Methods

This study utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database to evaluate anxiety disorder incidence trends in BRICS countries from 1992 to 2021. The Age-Period-Cohort (APC) model with an intrinsic estimator (IE) algorithm was employed to disentangle the effects of age, period, and cohort on incidence rates. Data were categorized into 5-year age groups, and 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated to account for data variability.

Results

From 1992 to 2021, the global number of anxiety disorders cases increased by 73.44%, with age-standardized incidence rates rising by 21.17%. Among BRICS nations, India experienced the largest increase in cases (113.30%), while China had the smallest increase (2.79%). Globally, young (15-49 years) and oldest (80-94 years) age groups showed predominantly positive local drift values, indicating rising incidence rates. Brazil and India mirrored this trend, while China and South Africa mostly exhibited negative local drift values. Russia Federation had mixed trends with younger groups showing negative and older groups positive local drift values. The incidence of anxiety disorders exhibited an "M-shaped" age pattern with peaks at 10-14 and 35-39 years. Period effects were stable globally but varied in BRICS countries, with Brazil showing a decline and India an increase. Cohort effects were stable globally but showed increasing trends in Brazil and India post-1955-1959 cohort.

Conclusion

This study highlights a significant increase in anxiety disorders incidence globally and within BRICS nations over the past three decades, with marked variations across countries. The distinct trends observed in age, period, and cohort effects call for age-specific and gender-sensitive mental health policies. Continuous monitoring, research, and tailored public health strategies are essential to address the rising burden of anxiety disorders and improve mental health outcomes in these rapidly evolving regions.

Clinical and epidemiological profile of patients with mental disorders in a specialized outpatient clinic and its role in the psychosocial care network

Introduction

Mental health disorders (MHDs) are responsible for much impairment of quality of life in Brazil and worldwide. Early diagnosis and effective treatment strategies are required due to the heterogeneous symptoms and multifactorial etiology.

Methods

A descriptive retrospective observational study was performed aiming to characterize the clinical and psychiatric profiles of patients with MHD attending a Brazilian public tertiary psychiatric outpatient clinic, which is a reference health service for more than 2 million inhabitants. Predominant clinical and sociodemographic aspects of patients were evaluated between March 2019 and March 2021.

Results

A total of 8,384 appointments were analyzed. The majority of patients were female, and the mean age was 45 years old. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) was the most common MHD. The prevailing symptoms were sadness, anxiety, and irritability, with the most prescribed medications being selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Conclusion

The epidemiological characterization of mental disorders in specialized mental health outpatient clinics provides evidence for the establishment of more specific protocols and advocates a dimensional transdiagnostic approach as an aid to public mental health services.

Moving psychiatric deinstitutionalization forward: A scoping review of barriers and facilitators

Psychiatric deinstitutionalization (PDI) processes aim to transform long-term psychiatric care by closing or reducing psychiatric hospitals, reallocating beds, and establishing comprehensive community-based services for individuals with severe and persistent mental health difficulties. This scoping review explores the extensive literature on PDI, spanning decades, regions, socio-political contexts, and disciplines, to identify barriers and facilitators of PDI implementation, providing researchers and policymakers with a categorization of these factors. To identify barriers and facilitators, three electronic databases (Medline, CINAHL, and Sociological Abstracts) were searched, yielding 2,250 references. After screening and reviewing, 52 studies were included in the final analysis. Thematic synthesis was utilized to categorize the identified factors, responding to the review question. The analysis revealed that barriers to PDI include inadequate planning, funding, and leadership, limited knowledge, competing interests, insufficient community-based alternatives, and resistance from the workforce, community, and family/caregivers. In contrast, facilitators encompass careful planning, financing and coordination, available research and evidence, strong and sustained advocacy, comprehensive community services, and a well-trained workforce engaged in the process. Exogenous factors, such as conflict and humanitarian disasters, can also play a role in PDI processes. Implementing PDI requires a multifaceted strategy, strong leadership, diverse stakeholder participation, and long-term political and financial support. Understanding local needs and forces is crucial, and studying PDI necessitates methodological flexibility and sensitivity to contextual variation. At the same time, based on the development of the review itself, we identify four limitations in the literature, concerning "time," "location," "focus," and "voice." We call for a renewed research and advocacy agenda around this neglected aspect of contemporary global mental health policy is needed.

Pathways to care in first-episode psychosis in low-resource settings: Implications for policy and practice

OBJECTIVE

Developing countries such as India face a major mental health care gap. Delayed or inadequate care can have a profound impact on treatment outcomes. We compared pathways to care in first episode psychosis (FEP) between North and South India to inform solutions to bridge the treatment gap.

METHODS

Cross-sectional observation study of 'untreated' FEP patients (n = 177) visiting a psychiatry department in two sites in India (AIIMS, New Delhi and SCARF, Chennai). We compared duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), first service encounters, illness attributions and socio-demographic factors between patients from North and South India. Correlates of DUP were explored using logistic regression analysis (DUP ≥ 6 months) and generalised linear models (DUP in weeks).

RESULTS

Patients in North India had experienced longer DUP than patients in South India (β = 17.68, p < 0.05). The most common first encounter in North India was with a faith healer (45.7%), however, this contact was not significantly associated with longer DUP. Visiting a faith healer was the second most common first contact in South India (23.6%) and was significantly associated with longer DUP (Odds Ratio: 6.84; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.77, 26.49). Being in paid employment was significantly associated with shorter DUP across both sites.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementing early intervention strategies in a diverse country like India requires careful attention to local population demographics; one size may not fit all. A collaborative relationship between faith healers and mental health professionals could help with educational initiatives and to provide more accessible care.