Mortality in mental disorders

Abstract

Mental disorders account for a significant proportion of the global burden of disease. However, estimates of "disability-adjusted life years" and "years of life lost " are underestimated due to a lack of good quality data on mortality associated with mental disorders, especially in middle- and low-income countries. The present project aims to estimate the general mortality and by specific groups of causes in people with different groups of mental disorders (psychoses, affective disorders, substance use disorders, personality disorders), to compare the mortality rates obtained with the rates observed in the general population and to identify groups of people with mental disorders that are more vulnerable to death. Four databases with different characteristics will be used: 1) incidence of first psychotic episode in the region of Ribeirão Preto, SP; 2) records of first psychiatric hospitalizations in the region of Ribeirão Preto, SP; 3) mental health information system of the XIII Regional Health Department of the State of São Paulo (SISAM-13); and 4) perinatal depression and maternal and infant mortality. The databases will go through a linkage process with the mortality databases of the SEADE Foundation, to form cohorts that will allow to investigate the proposed objectives. Overall mortality rates and by specific groups of causes will be estimated in each cohort. The mortality rates obtained will be compared with those of the general population, using an indirect standardization method. Values of "disability-adjusted life years" and "years of life lost" will be estimated from the results obtained. (AU)