Clinical and nonclinical predictors of test ordering in psychiatric emergency.
OBJECTIVE
This naturalistic prospective study explored the predictors of laboratory test ordering in a psychiatric emergency department.


METHODS
We used a standardized questionnaire to collect clinical and nonclinical features in 527 consecutive patients.


RESULTS
Test ordering was independently predicted by age, spoken language, referral by relatives, eating disorders, and somatic complaints. Having been referred by a general practitioner predicted test ordering only in the absence of a clinical report. Alcohol- and substance-related symptoms predicted test ordering only in patients older than 35 years. Age did not predict test ordering in patients consulting for anxiety or suicidal ideation.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians should be aware of possible biases when assessing the need of laboratory tests in patients presenting with psychiatric complaints.
Lemogne
Cédric
C
CPOA, Sainte-Anne Hospital, 75014 Paris, France. cedric.lemogne@orange.fr
Blandin
Elise
E
Guedj
Marie-Jeanne
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004637:Emergency Services, Psychiatric / Q000379:methods*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data