title: Involuntary admissions in Italy: the impact of seasonality.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of involuntary admissions with regard to seasonality and clinical associated features, in a sample of patients admitted to a psychiatric unit in a period of 24 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  All subjects consecutively admitted to the Psychiatric Inpatient Unit of the San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano (University of Turin, Italy) from September 2013 to August 2015 were recruited. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven hundred and thirty admissions in psychiatric ward were recognized. The prevalence of involuntary admission was 15.4%. Patients with involuntary hospitalizations showed a higher education level, a higher prevalence of admission in spring/summer with a significant peak in June, a longer duration of hospitalization and a lower suicide ideation. Among involuntary admissions, physical restraint and suicide attempts were more prevalent during spring compared to the other seasons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Seasonality has an important role in the psychopathology of psychiatric disorders, particularly in bipolar and related disorder, and may represent an influencing factor in hospital admissions and hospitalizations. Seasonal pattern must be considered while managing diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, with regard to prevention and psychoeducation of patients.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatric Unit, S Luigi Gonzaga Hospital , University of Turin , Turin , Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aguglia
authors.affiliation: a Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatric Unit, S Luigi Gonzaga Hospital , University of Turin , Turin , Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moncalvo
authors.affiliation: a Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatric Unit, S Luigi Gonzaga Hospital , University of Turin , Turin , Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Solia
authors.affiliation: a Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatric Unit, S Luigi Gonzaga Hospital , University of Turin , Turin , Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maina
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012621:Seasons; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Bipolar disorder; involuntary admission; physical restraint; seasonality; suicide