Referral pattern of physical diseases in psychiatric in-patients.
OBJECTIVE
To study the referral pattern of physical diseases in psychiatric in-patients in a university teaching general hospital.


METHODS
A longitudinal prospective study, over 12 months with a consecutive series of referrals from psychiatric in-patient unit to other specialties, in King Khalid University Hospital, using a predesigned format that included information on age, sex, physical examination on admission, consulted medical specialties and opinion of the consulted physician.


RESULTS
Referral rate was 38% of the total psychiatric in-patients. The most common consulted specialties were endocrinology (14.5%), dermatology (12.5%) and cardiology (12%). About three quarters of the patients were below 30 years of age. Physical examination on admission was not carried out for 16% of cases. Forty-four percent of clinicians responses were within 48 hours of the consultation. There were no responses in 12% of the consultations and no life-threatening physical conditions. About one-third of referred patients were schizophrenics.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical diseases in psychiatric in-patients are common. Evaluation of psychiatric patients should include a detailed physical examination, thorough medical and psychiatric history, as well as appropriate laboratory testing. Improving psychiatrist trainees' skills in detecting and assessing physical conditions in psychiatric patients is essential.
Al-Sughayir
M A
MA
Division of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University, PO Box 21525, Riyadh 11485, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008511:Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013038:Specialization