Prevalence of mental disorders in South Asia: A systematic review of reviews

TY - JOUR

T1 - Prevalence of mental disorders in South Asia

T2 - A systematic review of reviews

AU - Vidyasagaran, Aishwarya L.

AU - McDaid, David

AU - Faisal, Mehreen R.

AU - Nasir, Muhammed

AU - Muliyala, Krishna P.

AU - Thekkumkara, Sreekanth

AU - Wright, Judy

AU - Huque, Rumana

AU - Benkalkar, Saumit

AU - Siddiqi, Najma

N1 - Copyright: © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press

PY - 2023/11/13

Y1 - 2023/11/13

N2 - Mental disorders are increasing in South Asia (SA), but their epidemiological burden is under-researched. We carried out a systematic umbrella review to estimate the prevalence of mental disorders and intentional self-harm in the region. Multiple databases were searched and systematic reviews reporting the prevalence of at least one mental disorder from countries in SA were included. Review data were narratively synthesised; primary studies of common mental disorders (CMDs) among adults were identified from a selected subset of reviews and pooled. We included 124 reviews. The majority (n = 65) reported on mood disorders, followed by anxiety disorders (n = 45). High prevalence of mental disorders and intentional self-harm was found in general adult and vulnerable populations. Two reviews met our pre-defined criteria for identifying primary studies of CMDs. Meta-analysis of 25 primary studies showed a pooled prevalence of 16.0% (95% CI = 11.0–22.0%, I2 = 99.9%) for depression, 12.0% (5.0–21.0%, I2 = 99.9%) for anxiety, and 14.0% (10.0–19.0, I2 = 99.9%) for both among the general adult population; pooled estimates varied by country and assessment tool used. Overall, reviews suggest high prevalence for mental disorders in SA, but evidence is limited on conditions other than CMDs.

AB - Mental disorders are increasing in South Asia (SA), but their epidemiological burden is under-researched. We carried out a systematic umbrella review to estimate the prevalence of mental disorders and intentional self-harm in the region. Multiple databases were searched and systematic reviews reporting the prevalence of at least one mental disorder from countries in SA were included. Review data were narratively synthesised; primary studies of common mental disorders (CMDs) among adults were identified from a selected subset of reviews and pooled. We included 124 reviews. The majority (n = 65) reported on mood disorders, followed by anxiety disorders (n = 45). High prevalence of mental disorders and intentional self-harm was found in general adult and vulnerable populations. Two reviews met our pre-defined criteria for identifying primary studies of CMDs. Meta-analysis of 25 primary studies showed a pooled prevalence of 16.0% (95% CI = 11.0–22.0%, I2 = 99.9%) for depression, 12.0% (5.0–21.0%, I2 = 99.9%) for anxiety, and 14.0% (10.0–19.0, I2 = 99.9%) for both among the general adult population; pooled estimates varied by country and assessment tool used. Overall, reviews suggest high prevalence for mental disorders in SA, but evidence is limited on conditions other than CMDs.

KW - mental disorders

KW - intentional self-harm

KW - epidemiology

KW - umbrella review

KW - South Asia

U2 - 10.1017/gmh.2023.72

DO - 10.1017/gmh.2023.72

M3 - Review article

C2 - 38161740

SN - 2054-4251

VL - 10

SP - 1

EP - 19

JO - Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health

JF - Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health

M1 - e78

ER -