Physical illnesses among psychiatric outpatients in a tertiary care health institution: A prospective study.
BACKGROUND
The recognition of physical illnesses by mental health professionals has important clinical implications.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to find the nature and prevalence of associated physical illnesses in psychiatric outpatients.


METHODS
Two hundred fifty consecutive psychiatric outpatients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the study were assessed in detail for associated physical illnesses. A conclusive physical diagnosis was based on the clinical history, general physical examination and investigation reports.


RESULTS
Forty-eight per cent of the patients were found to have associated physical illnesses. In about one-fifth of the total sample (n=51; 20.4%) the associated physical illness was diagnosed for the first time. Hypertension (29.1%), respiratory diseases (15%), anaemia (12.5%), diabetes mellitus (10%) and liver diseases (5.8%) were some common physical illnesses found in these patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Common physical illnesses of psychiatric patients can be detected mostly by a careful history-taking checklist and physical examination. Psychiatrists must inculcate the habit of conducting a general physical examination of their psychiatric patients.
Singh
Gurvinder Pal
GP
Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh.
Chavan
B S
BS
Kaur
Paramleen
P
Bhatia
Shalini
S