[Homeless men in inpatient psychiatric treatment--a controlled study. 1: Health status and self assessment at intake].
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the objective and the subjectively reported state of health, the social network and the utilisation of mental health services in a representative group of homeless men (n = 50) at time of admission to a psychiatric hospital and compares these results with a control group (matched by diagnosis) of non-homeless men.


METHODS
The BPRS, the SF-12 Health Survey and a neglection index were administered. The main psychiatric diagnosis (ICD-10) were alcohol addiction (n = 29), drug addiction (n = 13), schizophrenia (n = 7) or personality disorder (n = 1).


RESULTS
No differences were found according to sociodemographic basis data, but the homeless group had a smaller social network and less financial resources. There was a higher rate of involuntary admission in the homeless group, less contact to mental health services in the weeks before admission, more psychopathological symptoms and more physical neglection. Self-rating of mental and physical health, however, did not differ significantly. There was a positive correlation between thought disturbance and positive self-rating of mental health.


CONCLUSIONS
The mental and physical health of the homeless patients was markedly worse. Beneath structural barriers symptoms, the extreme distress of their living situation and the decreased insight and motivation for treatment are characteristics of this group of patients which make them difficult to treat.
Kellinghaus
C
C
Westfälische Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Münster.
Lowens
S
S
Eikelmann
B
B
Reker
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005858:Germany; D006304:Health Status; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012647:Self-Assessment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation