Clinical specificity of prison inmates with severe mental disorders. A case-control study.
BACKGROUND
We wished to determine whether prison inmates with severe mental disorders possess specific clinical characteristics compared with psychiatric in-patients suffering from similar problems.


METHODS
Under a case-control design, 69 male prison inmates suffering from a schizophrenic or major affective disorder were matched for age and diagnostic spectrum to 60 male psychiatric in-patients. Standardised interviews were used to diagnose psychiatric disorders according to DSM-III-R and social functioning criteria. Case-notes were reviewed to cull data regarding social life, criminal record and service use.


RESULTS
Inmates were more likely to suffer from delusional/NOS psychotic disorders (72%) or major depression (70%), and psychiatric in-patients from schizophrenic or bipolar disorder (62% and 71%, respectively). Comorbidity was more prevalent among inmates than among in-patients, while in-patients presented less social autonomy than did inmates.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical specificity of prison inmates with severe mental disorders clearly differentiates them from psychiatric in-patients, and warrants recognition of their special needs for assessment and integrated treatment approaches.
Côté
G
G
Université du Québec à Trois-Riviéres, Canada.
Lesage
A
A
Chawky
N
N
Loyer
M
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D011792:Quebec; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors