title: Prevalence and characteristics of cluster B personality disorder in a consultation-liaison psychiatry practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Quantitative studies on cluster B-personality disorder (PD) in the general hospital are scarce. The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence and characteristics of cluster B-PD patients in a consultation-liaison practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Files of 258 consecutive patients referred for psychiatric consultation were examined. Cluster B patients were compared with the remaining patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven point six percent of these patients were diagnosed with a cluster B-PD. On univariate analysis, cluster B patients were more likely to be younger (P < 0.001), unmarried (P = 0.005), and without organic medical illness (P < 0.001).These patients had a shorter admission (P < 0.0001), and were more frequently treated in the emergency room (66.6% versus 37.5%, P = 0.02).There was a trend toward comorbid substance use disorder (P = 0.09). On multivariate analysis, cluster B patients presented significantly with self-harming behavior/ideation (80% versus 18%, OR = 12.07; 95% CI = 4.37-33.31; P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In view of the high prevalence of cluster B-PD in our preliminary study, general hospital staff requires practical skills for managing these high-maintenance patients. We believe that this study and further research will promote evidence-based recommendations for consultation-liaison psychiatrists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, Shaare Zedek Medical Center affiliated with the Hebrew University Medical School , Jerusalem , Israel.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mergui
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raveh
authors.forename: Cornelius
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gropp
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Golmard
authors.forename: Sol
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jaworowski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011570:Psychiatry; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cluster B personality disorder; general Hospital; quantitative study; self-harming behavior