title: Mental health economic studies from developing countries reviewed in the context of those from developed countries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mental health economic studies from developing countries were reviewed in the context of such studies from developed countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mental health economic studies were ascertained through a systematic Medline search, chasing references at the end of papers acquired from the initial medline search and details of studies furnished by members of the WHO collaborating centre.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only a small number of mental health economic studies from developing countries were identified. They were mainly cost-of-illness and cost-effectiveness studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychiatric disorders impose a significant burden in developing countries. It is not always possible to extrapolate findings from developed countries to developing countries. Potential avenues for future research and development are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jenkins
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019049:Developed Countries; D003906:Developing Countries; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics*