Severely and Persistently Mentally Ill Patients in Italy: an Overview of Epidemiological and Psychosocial Findings

F. Veltro, L. Magliano, S. Lobrace and P.L. Morosini
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F. Veltro: Psychiatric Institute, First Medical School, University of Naples
L. Magliano: Psychiatric Institute, First Medical School, University of Naples
S. Lobrace: Psychiatric Institute, First Medical School, University of Naples
P.L. Morosini: Istituto Superiore di Sanita', Roma

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 1993, vol. 39, issue 4, 285-302

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of epidemiological, clinical and psychosocial characteristics of patients needing long-term treatment. The data concerned the following aspects: prevalence and incidence from the five best-established Italian psychiatric case registers; needs for care; psychosocial and clinical outcome as assessed by means of follow-up studies; social disability and relatives' perceived burden. The one-year prevalence rate of "long-term users" is consistent in Northern Italy, higher in Middle Italy and lower in Southern Italy. The incidence rate was found to be around 4 per 100,000. Even in a community oriented mental health service, users' needs for care are only partially met. A good psychosocial outcome was found associated with the use of social and/or vocational skills training, while the average number of days per year of hospitalisation in a psychiatric department was found associated with poor outcome. A moderate degree of social disability was found among patients needing long-term treatment. The resulting family burden presented to a marked or very marked degree in more than 50% of the relatives.

Date: 1993
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:39:y:1993:i:4:p:285-302

DOI: 10.1177/002076409303900405

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