Prevalence and
Tendency of Mental
Upheavals in the
National Institute
of Neurology and
Neurosurgery
NOTE: Translated
using software of
translation of
Spanish to English
Abstract
A mental disorder is the result of an imbalance between
biological and social aspects that reflect an alteration of
cerebral functions which intervene in the life and
productiveness of each individual. In this study the prevalence
and trend of mental disorders were estimated in the National
Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Mexico City. This was
a transversal study. The information was obtained during 1995 to
2004 of clinical records of patients admitted by first time in
the Institute with diagnosis of mental disorder according to ICD-10,
and different epidemiological variables were identified.
One thousand four hundred eighty three cases were
identified. 56% were woman. The more frequent group of age was
20-29 years. In first place was Schizophrenia (22%), followed by
Depressive Episode (16.5%) and in third place Bipolar Affective
Disorder (8.6%). The prevalence was higher in 1995. In general,
a tendency to decrease of mental disorders was observed,
although it was not statistically significant.
Previous reports affirm that the number or
patients with neuropsychiatric disorders will increase around
the world in next years. Because most patients are assisted in
the beginning by general or alternative medicine, it is
essential for cases to be promptly identified and be addressed
to specialized institutions for their attention.
Author:
Ecuadorian
magazine of neurology
