No abstract

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is the Human Development Sector Leader for Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay at the World Bank, based in Buenos Aires. Previously, he served as Human Development Sector Leader for Brazil, based in Brasilia; human development country sector coordinator for the Western Balkans, based in Sarajevo; and human development economist, based in Washington, DC. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Bocconi University in Milan, a master of science degree in demography from the London School of Economics, and a doctorate in statistical demography from Princeton University. Magnus Lindelow is the Human Development Sector Leader (Health, Education, and Social Protection) at the World Bank in Brazil. He holds a doctorate in economics from Oxford University. At the World Bank, he has worked on health system reform, service delivery, public expenditure management, and poverty and social protection issues. Over the last few years, he has been involved in projects and research in Cambodia, China,

ResumoContexto: O abuso de álcool é considerado atualmente um dos maiores problemas de saúde devido ao impacto mundial que esta problemática gera em termos sociais e financeiros. Objetivos: Discutir, a partir do referencial econômico, as conseqüências sociais do abuso do álcool e introduzir os conceitos relacionados à economia da saúde. Métodos: Revisão da literatura com base nos sistemas MEDLINE, LILACS e SciELO de artigos publicados nas línguas, portuguesa e inglesa no período de 1987 a 2007, e posterior busca manual com base na bibliografia de interesse dos artigos selecionados. Resultados: Foram encontrados 50 artigos sobre estudos econômicos e conceitos econômicos em diversas áreas; desses, 15 diretamente relacionados ao custo social do abuso do álcool. O método de apuração dos custos e a composição dos itens de custos foram semelhantes em todos os estudos. Conclusões: Os estudos econômicos se apresentam incipientes no Brasil e avançados nos países desenvolvidos. A necessidade de pesquisas nacionais que abordem o custo social do abuso do álcool tem como uma das finalidades promover subsídios para se pensar e efetivar a construção de políticas públicas mais consistentes e que estejam em consonância com o perfil epidemiológico e socioeconômico do país.Gallassi, A.D. et al. / Rev. Psiq. Clín 35, supl 1; 25-30, 2008 Palavras-chave: Impacto econômico, custos sociais, abuso do álcool, conceitos econômicos, políticas públicas. AbstractBackground: Alcohol abuse is currently considered one of the largest worldwide health problems due to its social and financial impact. Objectives: To discuss the economic and social impact of alcohol abuse and to introduce concepts related to health economics. Methods: Literature review of articles written in Portuguese and in English (published between 1987 and 2007) stored in the MEDLINE, LILACS and SciELO databases was carried out. Results: Fifty articles on economic studies and economic concepts in various areas were found, among which 15 were directly related to the social costs of alcohol abuse. The costs assessment methods and the composition of cost items were similar in all studies. Conclusions: Economic studies are new in Brazil, but are advanced in developed countries. National research on the social costs of alcohol abuse is necessary in order to promote knowledge as a means of creating and implementing public policies that are more consistent with and in alignment with the epidemiological and socioeconomic profile of the country.

The sample consisted of 90 TRD+ and 122 TRD- patients. TRD+ patients used significantly more resources from the psychiatric service, but not from non-psychiatric clinics, compared to TRD- patients. Furthermore, TRD+ patients were significantly more likely to require hospitalizations. Overall, TRD+ patients imposed significantly higher (81.5%) annual costs compared to TRD- patients (R$ 5,520.85; US$ 3,075.34 vs. R$ 3,042.14; US$ 1,694.60). These findings demonstrate the burden of MDD, and especially of TRD+ patients, to the tertiary public health system. Our study should raise awareness of the impact of TRD+ and should be considered by policy makers when implementing public mental health initiatives.