Clinical and epidemiological trends of primary disability of children due to mental disorders in the Republic of Tatarstan (2021–2023)

BACKGROUND: Mental disorders are one of the leading causes of primary disability in children, a concern for both public healthcare and clinical psychiatry. The issue is further complicated by the lack of objective diagnostic measures of mental disorders, regional differences in the interpretation of diagnostic criteria, and significant social influences. AIM: The aim of the study was to identify the main clinical and epidemiological characteristics of childhood primary disability due to mental disorders in the Republic of Tatarstan in 2021–2023. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The main statistical data provided by the Information and Analytical Center of the Ministry of Health and the Bureau of Medical and Social Expertise of the Ministry of Social Protection of the Republic of Tatarstan were used as study materials, including relative primary and overall incidence and primary disability due to mental disorders in children under the age of 18. The main correlation trends were described. Statistical significance was determined using the nonparametric t-test, and the correlation coefficient (r) was calculated using the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: A positive trend in primary mental disability in children is reported. The most common cause was organic non-psychotic mental disorders (F06 — Other mental disorders due to brain damage and dysfunction and to physical disease) at a rate of 4.02 per 100,000 of the relevant population. A significant decline in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cases contributing to primary disability was observed between 2022 and 2023. This was associated with in-depth diagnosis as part of a comprehensive ASD care project (3.04 and 1.28 per 100,000 of the relevant population in 2022 and 2023, respectively, marking a 58% decrease). CONCLUSION: Major trends in causes of primary disability in children include an increase in the incidence of organic nonpsychotic disorders and a decrease in the incidence of autism spectrum disorders. The incidence of schizophrenia and mental retardation as causes was unchanged.