The British Journal of Psychiatry 144: 475-481 (1984)
© 1984 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Economic losses associated with chronic mental disorder in a developing country
J Westermeyer
This study was undertaken in a society without psychiatric services to
assess the economic losses associated there with major mental disorder.
Such data are important in assessing the cost/benefit of services for major
mental disorders. A survey was conducted in 27 representative villages of
Laos, each containing about 200-300 people; 35 mentally ill subjects were
identified. Data were obtained on expenditure for treatment, loss of
productivity, and other economic losses (eg., destruction of property);
demographic data and clinical rating scales were also obtained, and
compared with economic variables. The data show wide variability in
expenditures for treatment, but losses of productivity were consistently
high; acute losses, while impressive due to their suddeness and obvious
wastefulness, were comparatively small relative to others. Demographic data
were not associated with loss in productivity. Certain psychopathological
parameters, ie., more psychopathology, less productivity, were inversely
correlated with productivity. Psychosocial function scales were strongly
and directly correlated with productivity.
