Regional features of the frequency and dynamics of the prevalence of schizophrenia, schizotypal disorder and autism in children and adolescents in Russia (statistical data for 2021–2022)

Abstract

Aim of the study was to analyze the frequency and dynamics of schizophrenia, schizotypal disorder and autism in children and adolescents in Moscow and in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR) for 2021–2022 to determine the need for appropriate support measures for this population group. Material and methods. The dynamics of primary and general morbidity of mental diseases, including children and adolescents, as well as primary and general morbidity of schizophrenia (F20), schizotypal disorder (F21) and autism among children and adolescents in Moscow and in the KBR for 2021–2022, corresponding to the ICD-10 codes, are considered. Results and discussion. There is an increase in the overall incidence of mental illness in 2021 and 2022 both in Moscow (an increase of 8.4 %) and in the KBR (an increase of 0.3 %), of which among the child population (10.9 and 2.2 %, respectively). An enhancement of the primary incidence of mental illness in Moscow was revealed with an increase of 23.7 %, in the KBR with an increase of 1.1 %, among the child population corresponding values were 29.4 and 10.6 %. The overall incidence of schizophrenia decreased by 1.1 % in Moscow and by 0.5 % in the KBR, among the child population – by 1.3 and 21.3 %, respectively. The overall incidence of schizotypal disorder enhanced by 9.1 % in Moscow, by 8.1 % in the KBR, among the child population – by 7.9 and 0 %, respectively. A decrease in the primary incidence of schizophrenia was revealed by 0.1 % in Moscow, by 91 % in the KBR. Among the child population it increased by 25.6 % in Moscow and decreased by 100 % in the KBR, as well as number of newly diagnosed cases of schizophrenia. The primary incidence of schizotypal disorder rose by 34.1 % in Moscow, by 16.7 % in the KBR, among the child population it decreased by 1 % and hasn’t changed, respectively. It is possible to note an increase in the total incidence of autism in 2021–2022 both in Moscow (by 21.1 %) and in the KBR (by 9.4 %), while the number of newly diagnosed cases of autism in Moscow increased by 26.3 %, then in the CBD it decreased by 66.8 %. Conclusions. A diagnostic bias was revealed – a decrease in the number of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (F20) and a significant increase in the number of patients diagnosed with schizotypal disorder (F21). The statistical data obtained mainly indicate an improvement in the diagnosis of autism in childhood in Moscow and a decrease in the incidence of autism in the KBR.