Gender Differences in Psychiatric Diagnosis, Pharmacotherapy and Psychotherapy across Consultation Liaison Psychiatry

Abstract

Background: There is scant literature from developing country on gender and psychiatric disorders across consultation liaison Psychiatry Services. The aim was to assess Gender Differences in Psychiatric diagnosis, Pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy and explore correlations among in patients referred for Consultation liaison Psychiatry Services. Methods: It was a cross sectional survey conducted among inpatients referred for Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Services, over 3 months. All inpatients in various wards at MGM Hospital, Navi Mumbai. Cases referred for consultation liaison psychiatry were clinically interviewed by the Consultant and given appropriate clinical diagnosis and provided standard psychiatric and psychological care are included. Data collected after consent, on predesigned proforma and analyzed using SPSS 20. Institutional Ethics clearance was obtained. Result : A total of (n=73) were referred for Consultation Liaison Psychiatry over a period of 3 months. The most frequent reason for referral for men was substance use (50%), and that for women was sadness of mood (36.4%). Medicine department contributed to maximum referrals for both men (52.5%) and women (78.8%). The most common diagnosis in men was Alcohol use disorder and in women was Mood disorder.  The most common pharmacotherapy advised in men was Benzodiazepine(43%), and in women was Antidepressant(63.6%)and the most common psychotherapy advised in men was Dead diction therapy and in women was Individual counselling. Significant differences emerged in gender across reason for referral, psychiatric diagnosis, pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy and stressors profile. Conclusion: Our study findings have relevant implications in the area of gender and psychiatry across consultation liaison psychiatry.