[Mental disorders in the general population : Study on the health of adults in Germany and the additional module mental health (DEGS1-MH)].
OBJECTIVE
The German health interview and examination survey for adults (DEGS1) with the mental health module (DEGS1-MH) is the successor to the last survey of mental disorders in the general German population 15 years ago (GHS-MHS). This paper reports the basic findings on the 12-month prevalence of mental disorders, associated disabilities and self-reported healthcare utilization.


METHODS
A representative national cohort (age range 18-79 years, n = 5,317) was selected and individuals were personally examined (87.5 % face to face and 12.5 % via telephone) by a comprehensive clinical interview using the composite international diagnostic interview (CIDI) questionnaire.


RESULTS
The overall 12-month prevalence of mental disorders was 27.7 % with substantial differences between subgroups (e.g. sex, age, socioeconomic status). Mental disorders were found to be particularly impairing (elevated number of disability days). Less than 50 % of those affected reported to be in contact with health services due to mental health problems within the last 12 months (range 10-40 % depending on the number of diagnoses).


CONCLUSIONS
Mental disorders were found to be commonplace with a prevalence level comparable to that found in the 1998 predecessor study but several further adjustments will have to be made for a sound methodological comparison between the studies. Apart from individual distress, elevated self-reported disability indicated a high societal disease burden of mental disorders (also in comparison with many somatic diseases). Despite a relatively comprehensive and well developed mental healthcare system in Germany there are still optimisation needs for treatment rates.
Institut für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Center of Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies (CELOS), Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187, Dresden, Deutschland, jacobi@psychologie.tu-dresden.de.
F
F
Jacobi
M
M
Höfler
J
J
Strehle
S
S
Mack
A
A
Gerschler
L
L
Scholl
M A
MA
Busch
U
U
Maske
U
U
Hapke
W
W
Gaebel
W
W
Maier
M
M
Wagner
J
J
Zielasek
H-U
HU
Wittchen
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult