Prevalence, comorbidity, disability and service utilisation

Top Cited Papers
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Background: Health planning should be based on data about prevalence, disability and services used.Aims: To determine the prevalence of ICD–10 disorders and associated comorbidity, disability and service utilisation.Method: We surveyed a national probability sample of Australian households using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and other measures.Results: The sample size was 10 641 adults, response rate 78%. Close to 23% reported at least one disorder in the past 12 months and 14% a current disorder. Comorbidity was associated with disability and service use. Only 35% of people with a mental disorder in the 12 months prior to the survey had consulted for a mental problem during that year, and most had seen a general practitioner. Only half of those who were disabled or had multiple comorbidity had consulted and of those who had not, more than half said they did not need treatment.Conclusions: The high rate of not consulting among those with disability and comorbidity is an important public health problem. As Australia has a universal health insurance scheme, the barriers to effective care must be patient knowledge and physician competence.