Journal article icon

Journal article

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of community-based mental health services for individuals with severe mental illness in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract:

Background: Severe mental illness (SMI) imposes a substantial worldwide burden of disability, highlighting the need for comprehensive and adaptable mental health services. This study aims to assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of community-based mental health services (CBMHS) in reducing relapse and rehospitalization rates among individuals with SMI in Iran.

Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. Medline, EMBASE, ISI, SCOPUS, and ProQuest were searched until December 2022. We focused on randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, or economic studies related to individuals with SMI. Out of 127 articles, 17 were selected for a full-text review. The primary outcomes were the severity of psychopathology, rehospitalization rates, and the mental health of caregivers. We also examined community-based interventions and their impact on various outcomes. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed, and critical appraisal was conducted using JBI checklists. Meta-analysis was carried out using STATA software. (PROSPERO registration. CRD42022332660).

Result: Rehospitalization rates among patients who received CBMHS were significantly lower, with an odds ratio of 2.14 (95% CI: 1.44 to 3.19), indicating a 2.14 times lower likelihood than those who received treatment as usual. A reduction in psychopathology accompanied this, SMD: -0.31, 95% CI: -0.49 to -0.13, I2 = 40.23%). Moreover, there was a notable improvement in social skills (SMD: -0.7, 95% CI: -0.98 to -0.44, I2 = 0.00%). The burden on caregivers also decreased (SMD: -0.55, 95% CI: -0.99 to -0.1, I2 = 63.2). The Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) for QUALY was acceptable, albeit with a wide range of 613 to 8400 Dollars.

Conclusion: CBMHS has demonstrated effectiveness and efficiency in Iran as a developing country. Additionally, it shows promise in mitigating the shortage of acute psychiatry beds. Using multiple data collection tools poses a limitation regarding data consolidation and conducting a meta-analysis.

Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

Actions

Access Document

Publisher copy:
10.1186/s12888-024-05666-7

Authors

More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Paediatrics
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-2820-5409


More from this funder
Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/03w04rv71
Grant:
IR.IUMS.REC. 1400-1-99-21128


Publisher:
BioMed Central
Journal:
BMC Psychiatry More from this journal
Volume:
24
Issue:
1
Article number:
256
Publication date:
2024-04-04
Acceptance date:
2024-03-07
DOI:
EISSN:
1471-244X
Pmid:
38575916


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
1990823
Local pid:
pubs:1990823
Deposit date:
2025-06-02
ARK identifier:

Terms of use


Views and Downloads






If you are the owner of this record, you can report an update to it here: Report update to this record

TO TOP