The increased need for liaison psychiatry in surgical patients due to the high prevalence of undiagnosed anxiety and depression.
BACKGROUND
Depression is the most common mental disease in patients hospitalized with physical illness. Disorders of anxiety and depression in general hospitals are frequently underdiagnosed and inappropriately treated.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of undiagnosed anxiety and depression in surgical inpatients and assess the referral rate and utilization of liaison psychiatry services.


METHODS
A prospective study of surgical admissions (n = 96) to two surgical services at two separate institutions between 01/01/05 and 31/12/05. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HADS) scale was used to evaluate all patients.


RESULTS
About 12.5% of patients had significant depression, 18.75% had significant anxiety, and 8.3% had significant mixed anxiety and depression. About 22.9% of patients warranted referral to liaison psychiatry services for further assessment and management.


CONCLUSIONS
Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent in surgical inpatients. An increased awareness of the possibility of undiagnosed psychiatric disorders is required, along with prompt and appropriate use of liaison psychiatry services.
Ni Mhaolain
A M
AM
Liaison Psychiatry Service, Department of Psychiatry, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles St, Dublin 7, Ireland. ainemullen@gmail.com
Butler
J S
JS
Magill
P F
PF
Wood
A E
AE
Sheehan
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000523:psychology*