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BMC Medicine
Published in: BMC Medicine 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Debate

Mental disorders as risk factors: assessing the evidence for the Global Burden of Disease Study

Authors: Amanda J Baxter, Fiona J Charlson, Adele J Somerville, Harvey A Whiteford

Published in: BMC Medicine | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Background

Mental disorders are associated with a considerable burden of disease as well as being risk factors for other health outcomes. The new Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study will make estimates for both the disability and mortality directly associated with mental disorders, as well as the burden attributable to other health outcomes. Herein we discuss the process by which health outcomes in which mental disorders are risk factors are selected for inclusion in the GBD Study. We make suggestions for future research to strengthen the body of evidence for mental disorders as risk factors.

Methods

We identified a list of potential associations between mental disorders and subsequent health outcomes based on a review of the literature and consultation with mental health experts. A two-stage filter was applied to identify mental disorders and health outcomes that meet the criteria for inclusion in the GBD Study. Major limitations in the current literature are discussed and illustrated with examples identified during our review.

Results and discussion

Only two associations are included in the new GBD Study. These associations are the increased risk of ischemic heart disease with major depression and mental disorders as a risk factor for suicide. There is evidence that mental disorders are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes and injuries. However, these associations were unable to be included because of insufficient data. The most common reasons for exclusion were inconsistent identification of 'cases', uncertain validity of health outcomes, lack of generalizability, insufficient control for confounding factors and lack of evidence for temporality.

Conclusions

CVD, type 2 diabetes and injury are important public health policy areas. Prospective community studies of outcomes in patients with mental disorders are required, and their design must address a range of confounding factors.
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Metadata
Title
Mental disorders as risk factors: assessing the evidence for the Global Burden of Disease Study
Authors
Amanda J Baxter
Fiona J Charlson
Adele J Somerville
Harvey A Whiteford
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medicine / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1741-7015-9-134

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