More than one way to change: a study of course heterogeneity during and after short-term psychiatric in-patient treatment.
This study describes differences in course and outcome, defined by GSI (SCL-90) at admission, discharge, and one-year follow-up, in 458 patients receiving in-patient treatment for long-standing symptom and/or personality disorders. A K-mean cluster analysis identified seven subgroups of patients, representing four clinical distinct, meaningful patterns of change: early improvement, late improvement, relapsing after discharge, and a severe chronic course.


RESULTS
the subgroups had unique correlates among socio-demographic, diagnostic, and treatment-related characteristics. One of the relapsing groups had a high rate of Cluster C personality disorders, whereas the other had low participation in the anxiety programme. The group with severe chronic course showed occupational maladjustment and high number of both Axis I and II disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
anxiety patients should participate in anxiety-treatment programmes, Cluster C patients should be followed and monitored for relapse, and severe chronic patients should be offered specialised treatment for their co-existing substance abuse and/or eating disorders.
Gude
T
T
Department of Behavioural Sciences in Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway.
Havik
O E
OE
D000328:Adult; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors