Psychiatric Comorbidities in Patients Who Are Availing Consultation Liaison Services of a Psychiatry OPD in A Tertiary Care Hospital – A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry involves both imparting knowledge to nonpsychiatric doctors and interdepartmental teamwork including referrals from Nonpsychiatric departments seeking Psychiatric care for their patients. Hence it is essential to identify Psychiatric illness for referral and prompt management. Aim: To study the sociodemographic profile of the patients with comorbid psychiatric conditions referred to the psychiatry department and to identify the pattern of psychiatric illnesses in these patients. Materials & Methods: It is a cross-sectional observational study done using MINI [Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview] as well as structured sociodemographic Performa is used. The Patients referred to Consultation liaison services were screened with the questionnaire to find psychiatric Comorbidities, and ICD 10 criteria were applied as well. Results: Most patients referred to the department are males at 62.5% and females at about 37.5%. People who belonged to the geriatric population have had fewer referrals compared with other populations. Most patients referred to consultation liaison services had Psychiatric Comorbidities 79.9%, and about 20.1% had nil Psychiatric Comorbidities. Patients referred from Medicine Department are the Overwhelming majority at 74.4%. Most patients diagnosed with Alcohol Dependence syndrome 21.5% followed by Major Depressive Disorder 9.2%. Conclusion: Most patients diagnosed with Alcohol Dependence syndrome 21.5% followed by Major Depressive Disorder 9.2%. Depressive disorder and Suicidality are closely linked. Hence training non-psychiatric doctors, Junior residents, Interns about Psychiatric illnesses is integral for prompt identification, referral of such identified cases to Psychiatry and treatment.