title: The MentDis_ICF65+ study protocol: prevalence, 1-year incidence and symptom severity of mental disorders in the elderly and their relationship to impairment, functioning (ICF) and service utilisation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The EU currently lacks reliable data on the prevalence and incidence of mental disorders in older people. Despite the availability of several national and international epidemiological studies, the size and burden of mental disorders in the elderly remain unclear due to various reasons. Therefore, the aims of the MentDis_ICF65+ study are (1) to adapt existing assessment instruments, and (2) to collect data on the prevalence, the incidence, and the natural course and prognosis of mental disorders in the elderly.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a cross-sectional and prospective longitudinal design, this multi-centre study from six European countries and associated states (Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland) is based on age-stratified, random samples of elderly people living in the community. The study program consists of three phases: (1) a methodological phase devoted primarily to the adaptation of age- and gender-specific assessment tools for older people (e.g., the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, CIDI) as well as psychometric evaluations including translation, back translation; (2) a baseline community study in all participating countries to assess the lifetime, 12 month and 1 month prevalence and comorbidity of mental disorders, including prior course, quality of life, health care utilization and helpseeking, impairments and participation and, (3) a 12 month follow-up of all baseline participants to monitor course and outcome as well as examine predictors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study is an essential step forward towards the further development and improvement of harmonised instruments for the assessment of mental disorders as well as the evaluation of activity impairment and participation in older adults. This study will also facilitate the comparison of cross-cultural results. These results will have bearing on mental health care in the EU and will offer a starting point for necessary structural changes to be initiated for mental health care policy at the level of mental health care politics.
authors: Department of Medical Psychology, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr, 52, Building W 26, Hamburg D-20246, Germany. sandreas@uke.de
authors: Sylke
authors: S
authors: Andreas
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Härter
authors: Jana
authors: J
authors: Volkert
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Hausberg
authors: Susanne
authors: S
authors: Sehner
authors: Karl
authors: K
authors: Wegscheider
authors: Sven
authors: S
authors: Rabung
authors: Berta
authors: B
authors: Ausín
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Canuto
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Da Ronch
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Grassi
authors: Yael
authors: Y
authors: Hershkovitz
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Lelliott
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Muñoz
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Quirk
authors: Ora
authors: O
authors: Rotenstein
authors: Ana Belén
authors: AB
authors: Santos-Olmo
authors: Arieh
authors: A
authors: Shalev
authors: Jens
authors: J
authors: Siegert
authors: Kerstin
authors: K
authors: Weber
authors: Hans-Ulrich
authors: HU
authors: Wittchen
authors: Uwe
authors: U
authors: Koch
authors: Holger
authors: H
authors: Schulz
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors