[Psychiatric morbidity in the medical service of a non-university general hospital].
The aim of this study was to assess the nature and extent of psychiatric pathology in the internal medicine service of a small general hospital. During a three months' period, 315 consecutive patients were enrolled in this prospective study. 92 persons (29% of the admitted patients) exhibited a psychiatric disorder which was recognized by the internists and then discussed with the psychiatric team. The disorders were diagnosed according to the DSM-III-R classification. The age of the patients with psychiatric disorders was lower (median 56 years versus 63 years) and women were more numerous. In 75% of cases the psychiatric problem influenced medical management. A psychiatric consultation was indicated in 12%. Concerning the nature of this pathology, 29% of the 120 diagnoses established in these 92 patients were linked to the use of psychoactive substances; alcohol and male sex predominated. Among the women, anxio-depressive and personality disorders predominated. Two-thirds of the patients were sent to a general practitioner following their discharge from the hospital. The role of the general hospital as a site of care for these patients is discussed. It can be considered positive if a good climate of cooperation exists with the psychiatric team.
Service de médecine, Hôpital Le Samaritain, Vevey.
M
M
Klay
C
C
Jaccard
N
N
Othenin-Girard
F
F
Suard
J P
JP
Berger
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy