Physical diseases in psychiatric in-patients : referral pattern

Abstract EN

Objectives: To evaluate the referral pattern of physical illnesses in psychiatric in-patients, Methods : A prospective study was carried out over 12 months.

The referrals from the psychiatric in-patient unit in a teaching hospital in Riyadh City were studied.

Information including demographic data, reasons for referral, specialty consulted and pattern of response was analyzed.

Results: The total consultation rate was 38.4 % (81 patients).

There was more than one referral for 47 patients.

The most commonly consulted specialty was medicine (69%).

New physical complaints in females significantly outnumbered known physical illness and abnormal investigations.

Conclusion: Physical diseases in psychiatric in-patient are not uncommon.

Unfortunately, physical complaints from psychiatric patients are often initially considered to be somatization, abnormal sensation, or contrived to attain a secondary gain.

Results of this study may provide baseline statistics for local psychiatrists and mental health planners for better psychiatric services in the future.