The structure and prevalence of mental disorders in patients of mental health and diagnostic centers in Armenia

Abstract

Background and aims:In western countries, the majority of depressed patients are treated in primary care, and in developing countries, the majority of such population is not revealed. The main objective of this study was to find out the structure and prevalence of mental disorders at the mental health and multidisciplinary diagnostic Centers.Methods:We work out appropriate documents to collect the clinical and epidemiological data. The mental disorders diagnosed according to ICD-10. There were investigated 148 patients at the Center “Stress” and 122–Center “Diagnostica”. The first group we conditionally named “psychiatric”, and the second one “diagnostic”. Baseline data on diagnosis, symptomatology and other independent variables was collected.Results:Of the 148 “psychiatric” patients the highest was the number of patients with depressive disorders (F 32, 33, 34) – 45 (27.6%), then the mental disorders due to brain damage, dysfunction and physical disease (F06,07) – 15.6%, and dissociative (conversion) disorders (F44) – 14.7%. Among 122 “diagnostic” patient the most frequent diagnosis was Neurasthenia (F48.0) – 24.6%, then depression (F32,33,34) – 24.5%, and mental disorders due to brain damage, dysfunction and physical disease” (F06,07) – 19.7%. So the rate of depressive disturbances was high in both groups. It was common for depressed people to present with somatic rather than psychological complaints.Conclusions:Of people with a need for depression treatment, great majority reject it. Results of this study will contribute to a better understanding of depressive disorders in primary health care settings in Armenia.