Abstract

ZEGARRA-VALDIVIA, Jonathan; CAZORLA PEREZ, Ernesto  and  CHINO VILCA, Brenda. Clinical and epidemiological profile of out-patients attended at the Mental Health Center "Moisés Heresi" of Arequipa - Peru, between 2011 and 2013. Rev Neuropsiquiatr [online]. 2016, vol.79, n.2, pp.98-107. ISSN 0034-8597.

Several studies reveal that neuro-psychiatric illnesses are the greatest relative weight burden of disability across the world. The determination of prevalence and incidence of these disorders is an important step in the understanding of their impact in a particular region and generating clinical interventions and preventive policies. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and incidence of mental disorders in the Southern region of Peru between the years 2011-2013. Materials and Methods: We use a descriptive epidemiological approach based on the evaluation and analysis of clinical documents. A non-probability sampling method was used to allow the examination of 1489 clinical records of new cases registered in a mental health center. Results: More than 70% of treated individuals were young and middle-aged adults, economically active and single. The presence of mood disorders, with a prevalence of 22.3%, followed by psychotic disorders (18.3%), and substance use disorders (15.2%) were the most prominent findings. Gender-based trends were different. Conclusions:Mood disorders, psychotic and substance use disorders were the most prevalent within the studied population.The findings of this study confirmed that, due to the prevalence of important mental disorders mostly among young and middle-aged adults, the lost years of healthy life are significant and that the risks of chronicity are high.

Keywords : Mental disorders; epidemiology; Peru; mental health.

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