Hand preference and length of psychiatric hospital stay by month of admission.
Length of psychiatric hospital stay is higher for patients admitted in the months of April and May. This effect was strongly associated with handedness and was greatest for left-handers. The duration of hospitalization of left-handed subjects admitted in April and May was, on average, 88.5% longer than for left-handed subjects admitted during any other period. In contrast, length of stay for right-handed patients differed by no more than 16% between any months compared.
Mirabile
Charles S
CS
McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.
Teicher
Martin H
MH
D007839:Functional Laterality; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons