Distribution characteristics of mental disorders in community health service center: based on outpatient data from 2014-2022 in Shanghai, China.

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of mental disorders is gradually increasing in China. As the Chinese government fully implements the tiered diagnosis and treatment system, community health service centers will take on an increased role in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. However, Chinese general practitioners currently have limited expertise in mental health. The health administration is still exploring which areas should be the focus of training for general practitioners in their capability to handle mental disorders.

Objective: To understand the types and characteristics of mental disorders, which can provide direction and evidence for improving the diagnosis and treatment capabilities of mental disorders in community mental health services in China.

Methods: The data of outpatient visits of all community health service centers in Shanghai were extracted from the outpatient and emergency information system platform of primary care institutions during 2014 to 2020. All of the diagnoses of mental disorders were classified and counted according to the ICD-10 code. Mental disorders were analyzed by the specific types, gender, age group and regions.

Results: From 2014 to 2022, the proportion of patients with mental disorders in community health. Service centers in Shanghai has been increasing year by year, from 0.8% to 2.8%. The most common diagnostic category was F40-48: "Neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders", accounting for 50.9% of all mental disorders. Neurotic disorders, Non-organic sleep disorders and depressive episodes were the top three mental disorders. In the children and adolescents group aged 0-18 years, the most common diagnosis category was F80-F89: "Disorders of psychological development", accounting for 68.6% of the total number of children and adolescents with mental disorders in community health service centers. In the adult group, the Nonorganic sleep disorders and dementia gradually increased with age, while neurotic disorders and depressive episodes decreased after peaking at age the group 60 to 79.

Conclusions: In China, an increasing number of patients with mental disorders are seeking medical attention at community health service centers, while the knowledge and skills of general practitioners on mental disorders were still insufficient. Neurotic disorders, insomnia, depression as well as Disorders of psychological development in children and adolescents need to be studied more and paid attention to by general practitioners.