Intermediate
Technical
IVT
incidence rate
The number of new cases of a psychiatric disorder occurring in a defined population during a specific time period.
Full Definition
In psychiatric epidemiology, incidence rate measures how frequently new cases of mental health conditions develop within a population over a given timeframe, typically expressed per 100,000 person-years. This metric helps researchers understand the risk of developing specific disorders and identify trends in mental health. Unlike prevalence, incidence focuses exclusively on new onset cases, making it crucial for studying disease etiology and prevention strategies.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify the time period and population denominator when reporting incidence rates.
In Context
- "The incidence rate of major depressive disorder was found to be 8.4 per 1,000 person-years in the urban cohort." — epidemiological research paper
- "Researchers calculated age-adjusted incidence rates to account for demographic differences between study populations." — methodology section
Also known as
attack rate
incidence density
Contrasted with
prevalence rate
Don't confuse with
prevalence rate
cumulative incidence