Psychiatric Consultation to Hospitalized Patients: Current Status and Psychiatric Diagnoses

Abstract

Background: The benefits of addressing behavioral health issues in inpatients have been well documented. However, these problems are not frequently recognized by physicians during the hospitalization of patients in general hospitals. Objectives: This study described the current status and medical diagnoses made in psychiatric consultations to inpatients admitted to general hospitals affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences, North of Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional observational research was carried out at Babol University of Medical Sciences from 2019 to 2020. All psychiatric consultations for patients hospitalized in different departments of two general hospitals affiliated to this university for 6 months were included. The mental disorders diagnosed for patients were recorded by a psychiatrist according to the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5) criteria. Results: A total of 266 patients with a mean age of 51.21 ± 16.95 years were examined. Most of the consults were requested by the departments of cardiology (39.5%) and neurology (16.2%). According to the psychiatric visits, 32.3%, 51.1%, and 15.4% of the patients had no, one, and two concomitant psychiatric disorders, respectively. Mental disorders were found to have a significant association with gender (P < 0.001), admission department (P < 0.001), comorbid malignancies (P = 0.011), cardiovascular disorders (P < 0.001), need for surgical intervention (P = 0.018), a history of substance use (P = 0.001), and reasons for consult request (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Mental disorders, especially mood and anxiety disorders, were identified in approximately 70% of consultations. Therefore, requesting a timely psychiatric consultation can lead to better managing hospitalized patients.