Is the global prevalence rate of adult mental illness increasing? Systematic review and meta-analysis

Richter, D, Wall, A ORCID: 0000-0002-2812-6874, Bruen, A ORCID: 0000-0002-7256-8960 and Whittington, R (2019) Is the global prevalence rate of adult mental illness increasing? Systematic review and meta-analysis. ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, 140 (5). pp. 393-407.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/acps.13083

Abstract

<h4>Objectives</h4>The question whether mental illness prevalence rates are increasing is a controversially debated topic. Epidemiological articles and review publications that look into this research issue are often compromised by methodological problems. The present study aimed at using a meta-analysis technique that is usually applied for the analysis of intervention studies to achieve more transparency and statistical precision.<h4>Methods</h4>We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Google Scholar and reference lists for repeated cross-sectional population studies on prevalence rates of adult mental illness based on ICD- or DSM-based diagnoses, symptom scales and distress scales that used the same methodological approach at least twice in the same geographical region. The study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018090959).<h4>Results</h4>We included 44 samples from 42 publications, representing 1 035 697 primary observations for the first time point and 783 897 primary observations for the second and last time point. Studies were conducted between 1978 and 2015. Controlling for a hierarchical data structure, we found an overall global prevalence increase in odds ratio of 1.179 (95%-CI: 1.065-1.305). A multivariate meta-regression suggested relevant associations with methodological characteristics of included studies.<h4>Conclusions</h4>We conclude that the prevalence increase in adult mental illness is small, and we assume that this increase is mainly related to demographic changes.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	mental illness, prevalence, secular trends, meta-analysis
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	17 Sep 2019 09:37
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2023 00:26
DOI:	10.1111/acps.13083
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3054934