Common mental disorders and sociodemographic characteristics: baseline findings of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) and the association of CMD with sociodemographic characteristics in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSABrasil) cohort. Methods: We analyzed data from the cross-sectional baseline assessment of the ELSA-Brasil, a cohort study of 15,105 civil servants from six Brazilian cities. The Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised (CIS-R) was used to investigate the presence of CMD, with a score X 12 indicating a current CMD (last week). Specific diagnostic algorithms for each disorder were based on the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. Prevalence ratios (PR) of the association between CMD and sociodemographic characteristics were estimated by Poisson regression. Results: CMD (CIS-R score X 12) was found in 26.8% (95% confidence intervals [95%CI] 26.1-27.5). The highest burden occurred among women (PR 1.9; 95%CI 1.8-2.0), the youngest (PR 1.7; 95%CI 1.5-1.9), non-white individuals, and those without a university degree. The most frequent diagnostic category was anxiety disorders (16.2%), followed by depressive episodes (4.2%). Conclusion: The burden of CMD was high, particularly among the more socially vulnerable groups. These findings highlight the need to strengthen public policies aimed to address health inequities related to mental disorders.

Common mental disorders and associated factors: a study of women from a rural area

“…In a cohort study with 15,105 people from six Brazilian cities, the authors identified that the prevalence of CMD was more frequent among women (33.8%), showing a lower rate than in the present study (8) . We found that the prevalence of CMD identified in the present study shows lower results than those presented in most national and international studies conducted in rural and urban areas.…”

“…In a cohort study with 15,105 people from six Brazilian cities, the authors identified that the prevalence of CMD was more frequent among women (33.8%), showing a lower rate than in the present study (8) .…”

“…Literature points out that in rural and urban contexts, several social, cultural and behavioral factors may be related to CMD. Results obtained in several national studies involving urban and rural contexts have revealed a higher prevalence of CMD related to: women (5)(6)(7)(8) , low education levels (9) , low income (7) and to separated, divorced, widowed or single women (6,9) . In relation to the rural context, living conditions associated with poverty, stressful events, limited social and economic resources, and other demographic disadvantages pose a greater risk for mental health problems (11) .…”

“…Therefore, articulating mental health with the Family Health Strategy (FHS) is relevant (4) . Gender differences are present in CMD, predominantly affecting women (2,(5)(6)(7)(8) . Some Brazilian studies have shown the prevalence of CMD in women in urban areas to be: 33.8% (8) , 37.9% (6) , 41.7% (3) , 52.1% (7) .…”

“…Gender differences are present in CMD, predominantly affecting women (2,(5)(6)(7)(8) . Some Brazilian studies have shown the prevalence of CMD in women in urban areas to be: 33.8% (8) , 37.9% (6) , 41.7% (3) , 52.1% (7) . Considering the few national studies with women in the rural context, the prevalence of CMD in women is high for this population group -56.2% (9) , 44.17% (5) and 43.6% (10) .…”