Clinical laboratory abnormalities and their follow-up in a mental hygiene clinic.
In a retrospective study, there were clearly abnormal laboratory findings in 4.8 per cent of 4,994 adults who attended for psychiatric evaluation at a mental hygiene clinic. In particular high fasting blood sugars, abnormal blood counts, eosinophilia, VDRL and abnormalities of chest X-ray or urinalysis were found. Just under half of these abnormalities led to further medical follow-up. Old and young, schizophrenic and neurotic were equally likely to be followed up, but tests which were clinically not alarming might be ignored. The implications are discussed.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D014481:United States