AIMS: The United Nations warned of COVID-19-related mental health crisis; however, it is unknown whether there is an increase in the prevalence of mental disorders as existing studies lack a reliable baseline analysis or they did not use a diagnostic measure. We aimed to analyse trends in the prevalence of mental disorders prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We analysed data from repeated cross-sectional surveys on a representative sample of non-institutionalised Czech adults (18+ years) from both November 2017 (n = 3306; 54% females) and May 2020 (n = 3021; 52% females). We used Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) as the main screening instrument. We calculated descriptive statistics and compared the prevalence of current mood and anxiety disorders, suicide risk and alcohol-related disorders at baseline and right after the first peak of COVID-19 when related lockdown was still in place in CZ. In addition, using logistic regression, we assessed the association between COVID-19-related worries and the presence of mental disorders. RESULTS: The prevalence of those experiencing symptoms of at least one current mental disorder rose from a baseline of 20.02 (95% CI = 18.64; 21.39) in 2017 to 29.63 (95% CI = 27.9; 31.37) in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevalence of both major depressive disorder (3.96, 95% CI = 3.28; 4.62 v. 11.77, 95% CI = 10.56; 12.99); and suicide risk (3.88, 95% CI = 3.21; 4.52 v. 11.88, 95% CI = 10.64; 13.07) tripled and current anxiety disorders almost doubled (7.79, 95% CI = 6.87; 8.7 v. 12.84, 95% CI = 11.6; 14.05). The prevalence of alcohol use disorders in 2020 was approximately the same as in 2017 (10.84, 95% CI = 9.78; 11.89 v. 9.88, 95% CI = 8.74; 10.98); however, there was a significant increase in weekly binge drinking behaviours (4.07% v. 6.39%). Strong worries about both, health or economic consequences of COVID-19, were associated with an increased odds of having a mental disorder (1.63, 95% CI = 1.4; 1.89 and 1.42, 95% CI = 1.23; 1.63 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence matching concerns that COVID-19-related mental health problems pose a major threat to populations, particularly considering the barriers in service provision posed during lockdown. This finding emphasises an urgent need to scale up mental health promotion and prevention globally.
- Klíčová slova
- Anxiety, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, depression, mental disorders, prevalence, suicide risk,
- MeSH
- Betacoronavirus MeSH
- COVID-19 MeSH
- depresivní porucha unipolární epidemiologie etiologie MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- duševní poruchy epidemiologie etiologie MeSH
- duševní zdraví statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- koronavirové infekce epidemiologie psychologie MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- pandemie MeSH
- poruchy nálady epidemiologie etiologie MeSH
- poruchy způsobené alkoholem epidemiologie etiologie MeSH
- prevalence MeSH
- průřezové studie MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- psychiatrické posuzovací škály MeSH
- SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
- sebevražda statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- úzkostné poruchy epidemiologie etiologie MeSH
- virová pneumonie epidemiologie psychologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika epidemiologie MeSH
INTRODUCTION: We aimed to estimate the prevalence of current mental disorders in the Czech population, and to identify associated disability. METHODS: We conducted a representative cross-sectional household survey of the Czech adult, community-dwelling population. We used the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.), WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0, and Self-Identification as Mentally Ill (SELFI) scale alongside sociodemographic and other covariates. We reached 75% response rate. Descriptive statistics of the sample were assessed and median (M) disability levels with interquartile range (IQR) according diagnosis were calculated on a scale ranging from 12 to 50. Linear regression models were used to identify factors associated with disability. RESULTS: In our sample of 3 306 participants, 21.9% experienced a mental disorder in 2017. Prevalence rates for mood, anxiety, alcohol use, non-alcohol substance use, and psychotic disorders corresponded to 5.5%, 7.3%, 10.8%, 2.9%, and 1.5% respectively. Alcohol dependence was identified in 6.6%, and major depression in 4.0% of the sample. Disability in the general population was significantly lower (M = 12; IQR = 12, 17) than in those with mood (M = 20; IQR = 14; 29), anxiety (M = 18; IQR = 13; 26), alcohol use (M = 14; IQR = 12; 18), non-alcohol substance use (M = 15; IQR = 12; 19), or psychotic disorders (M = 22; IQR = 16.4; 29.4). CONCLUSIONS: People with mental disorders have considerably elevated disability in comparison to mentally healthy participants. The prevalence of mental disorders in the Czech Republic is mostly in line with European prevalence rates but it is lower for anxiety disorders and two times higher for alcohol use disorders.
- Klíčová slova
- Central and Eastern Europe, Disability, Epidemiology, Mental disorders,
- MeSH
- alkoholismus * diagnóza epidemiologie MeSH
- demografie MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- duševní poruchy * klasifikace diagnóza epidemiologie psychologie MeSH
- duševní zdraví statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- posuzování pracovní neschopnosti MeSH
- prevalence MeSH
- průřezové studie MeSH
- psychiatrické posuzovací škály MeSH
- socioekonomické faktory MeSH
- srovnání kultur MeSH
- úzkost * diagnóza epidemiologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika epidemiologie MeSH
- Evropa epidemiologie MeSH
This is one of the first studies, which compares the level of stigmatizing behaviour in countries that used to be on the opposite sides of the Iron Curtain. The aim was to identify the prevalence of reported and intended stigmatizing behaviour towards those with mental health problems in the Czech Republic and to compare these findings with the findings from England. The 8-item Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale (RIBS) was used to assess stigmatising behaviour among a representative sample of the Czech population (n=1797). Results were compared with the findings of an analogous survey from England (n=1720), which also used the RIBS. The extent of reported behaviour (i.e., past and present experiences with those with mental health problems) was lower in the Czech Republic than in England. While 12.7% of Czechs reported that they lived, 12.9% that they worked, and 15.3% that they were acquainted with someone who had mental health problems, the respective numbers for England were 18.5%, 26.3% and 32.5% (P<0.001 in each of these items). On the other hand, the extent of intended stigmatizing behaviour towards those with mental health problems is considerably higher in the Czech Republic. Out of maximum 20 points attached to possible responses to the RIBS items 5-8, Czechs had a lower total score (x=11.0, SD=4.0) compared to English respondents (x=16.1, SD=3.6), indicating lower willingness to accept a person with mental health problems (P<0.001). The prevalence of stigmatizing behaviour in the Czech Republic is worrying. Both, further research and evidence based anti-stigma interventions, should be pursued in order to better understand and decrease stigmatizing behaviour in the Czech Republic and possibly across the post-communist countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
- Klíčová slova
- Central and Eastern Europe, Mental illness, Post-communism, Social distance, Stigma,
- MeSH
- behaviorální výzkum MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- duševní poruchy * etnologie psychologie MeSH
- duševní zdraví etnologie MeSH
- etnopsychologie MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- socioekonomické faktory MeSH
- společenské stigma * MeSH
- stereotypizace * MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- srovnávací studie MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Anglie epidemiologie MeSH
- Česká republika epidemiologie MeSH
From 1995 to 2005 the number of patients with delirium tremens increased 1.57 times in the Czech Republic. Greater increase took place among women (almost twice in 2005 compared with 1995). These data are related to the increasing per capita alcohol consumption till 2003, and they show that effective prevention (e.g. higher taxation of alcohol), early intervention and appropriate treatment of alcohol dependence are important. The self-help manual for problem drinkers can be downloaded free of charge from.
- MeSH
- alkoholové delirium epidemiologie MeSH
- incidence MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- anglický abstrakt MeSH
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika epidemiologie MeSH
Buprenorphine (Subutex) is according to epidemiological data and clinical experience abused on a large scale in the Czech Republic and for some drug dependent persons it becomes a principal intravenously applied drug. This problem can be resolved by more appropriate training of physicians who prescribe the drug and especially by the introduction of the combination buprenorphine and naloxone (Suboxone) which is not abused intravenously. The registration of Suboxone in the Czech Republic was not initiated by the manufactures so far.
- MeSH
- buprenorfin * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- narkotika * MeSH
- opioidní analgetika * MeSH
- poruchy spojené s užíváním psychoaktivních látek epidemiologie etiologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- anglický abstrakt MeSH
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika epidemiologie MeSH
- Názvy látek
- buprenorfin * MeSH
- narkotika * MeSH
- opioidní analgetika * MeSH
BACKGROUND: Impaired self-control is an important symptom of addictive diseases. The average number of factors improving self-control among 117 men dependent on alcohol, other substances and pathological gamblers was 5.55 (SD=3.5). METHODS AND RESULTS: We classified strategies how to improve self-control into following groups (their ordering reflects the frequency of their use in our sample): 1. The help of others (professional treatment, self-help groups, and family), 2. Distraction and similar techniques, 3. The use of motivation, 4. Life-style changes including appropriate rest, 5. Physical activity, sports, physical work, 6. The use of environments, 7. Mastering of social and other relevant skills, 8. Relaxation based approaches, 9. Techniques working with improved self-awareness, 10. Pharmacotherapy, 11. Acknowledgement of an addictive disease and abstinence, 12. Disrupting risky behavioral patterns. CONCLUSIONS: To improve of self-control in addictive diseases simple techniques are appropriate because of temporarily impaired cognitive functions during craving. Frequent repetition are also important.
- MeSH
- alkoholismus psychologie rehabilitace MeSH
- hráčství * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- návykové chování psychologie rehabilitace MeSH
- poruchy spojené s užíváním psychoaktivních látek psychologie rehabilitace MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- anglický abstrakt MeSH
- časopisecké články MeSH
Some relevant studies dealing with spirituality in the prevention and treatment of addictive diseases are summarized. Lower prevalence of daily smoking was ascertained also in Czech population. Health workers should pay appropriate attention to spiritual needs of their patients. Spirituality also alleviates professional stress in helping professions. A case report illustrating the importance of spirituality in treatment of alcohol dependence is included. Spirituality in addicted persons is often rather inconspicuous and covert.
- MeSH
- alkoholismus psychologie rehabilitace MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- náboženství a lékařství * MeSH
- spiritualita * MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- anglický abstrakt MeSH
- časopisecké články MeSH
- kazuistiky MeSH
- MeSH
- kolorektální nádory etiologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- pivo škodlivé účinky MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Some principles of evidence based medicine are mentioned. Effective strategies of prevention and treatment of alcohol related problems include among others higher taxation of alcohol, prevention of driving while intoxicated, the training of relevant social skills in school children, brief intervention, the use of naltrexone and acamprosate, participation in Alcoholics Anonymous and family therapy.
- MeSH
- alkoholismus prevence a kontrola MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- medicína založená na důkazech MeSH
- poruchy způsobené alkoholem prevence a kontrola terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- anglický abstrakt MeSH
- časopisecké články MeSH
Physical activity can improve mental health. Positive effect of physical activity on depression and anxiety are mentioned. Moreover physical activity increases resistance against memory loss during aging. Physical activity also improves quality and life satisfaction in all age group; this fact was confirmed also in Czech children. Physical activity should be sufficient, but not excessive, and it should be combined with pharmacotherapy in severe and long-term depression. The kind of physical activity depends on the preferences and possibilities of patients; walking, yoga, swimming, etc. are usually appropriate.
- MeSH
- cvičení * MeSH
- deprese prevence a kontrola MeSH
- duševní zdraví * MeSH
- kvalita života MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- úzkost prevence a kontrola MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- anglický abstrakt MeSH
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
