Management and services for psychosis in People's Republic of China in 2016

Abstract

Objective To analyze the management and treatment situation for patients with psychosis in China in 2016, and compare with those data in 2014 and 2015, in order to provide a reference for policy making and services delivering. Methods Descriptive method was used to analyze the information system usage and the demographic characteristics, registration, management and treatment situation of the patients with psychosis. Data was obtained from 'National Information System for Psychosis’ and traced from 1st August 2011 to 31st December 2016. Results By the end of 2016, the information system was applied by 2 801 counties (98.14%, 2 801/2 854) to register patients with psychosis in China, 5 401 150 patients were registered, and prevalence of registered psychosis was 3.96‰ (5 401 150/1 362 466 686) . In 2016, 4 873 977 patients received the follow-up services by primary health care workers, and 3 665 720 patients were followed up regularly (at least once per 3 months). The follow-up rate and regular follow-up rate were 90.24% (4 873 977/5 401 150) and 67.87% (3 665 720/5 401 150) respectively. Moreover, 2 528 143 patients were treated by antipsychotics, and 1 594 562 patients took medication regularly (according to the prescriptions). The medication-taking rate and regular medication-taking rate were 51.87% (2 528 143/4 873 977) and 32.72% (1 594 562/4 873 977) respectively. 3 265 761 patients were in stable condition during the whole year and the rate of being stable was 68.68% (3 265 761/4 754 801) , which was positively correlated with follow-up rate, regular follow-up rate, medication-taking rate and regular medication-taking rate(r=0.578, 0.733, 0.495, 0.536, all P<0.05). Comparing with 2015, there are extra 27 counties and 479 645 more registered patients in 2016 and all indicators above were higher in 2016. Duration of untreated schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, psychotic disorder with epilepsy, mental retardation with psychotic symptoms was 3.89, 4.40, 3.06, 3.01, 5.64, 16.56 years respectively, all of which were shorter than 2015. Conclusions Services for patients with psychosis were significantly improved in 2016. The coverage of the system was expanded and the number of registered patients increased sustainably, and at the same time the duration of untreated psychosis decreased continuously with better management and treatment. Key words: Mental disorders; Community mental health services; Information systems