In order to evaluate the extent and quality of C-L activity in Italy, a multicenter investigation was conducted in 17 general hospitals. All of the hospitalized patients referred to C-L psychiatry during a one-year period were assessed by means of a specific instrument (Patient Registration Form, PRF-SF). Of 518,212 patients, 4,182 were referred to C-L services (referral rate = 0.72%). Typical consultations were for female patients (60.1%), admitted to medical wards (71.5%), aged between 55 and 75. Most interventions were carried out within 2 days, while a minority (22%) were urgent requests. Gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders, and unexplained medical symptoms were the most frequent ICD-9 somatic diagnoses at admission. One third of the patients were not informed of having been referred to C-L and half of them had a lifetime history of psychiatric disturbances. Most frequent ICD-10 psychiatric diagnoses were neurotic, stress-related and somatoform syndromes (33.1%), affective disorders (19.4%) and organic mental syndromes (10.7%). Two-thirds of the patients were given only one consultation while the reminder received 2 to 4 follow-up visits. The rate of transfer to psychiatric wards was low (2.1%). Psychopharmacological treatment was suggested in 65% of cases and 75.5% of the patients were referred to community psychiatric care at discharge. The implications of the findings are discussed.
A multicenter investigation of consultation-liaison psychiatry in Italy
GRASSI, Luigi;
1999
Abstract
In order to evaluate the extent and quality of C-L activity in Italy, a multicenter investigation was conducted in 17 general hospitals. All of the hospitalized patients referred to C-L psychiatry during a one-year period were assessed by means of a specific instrument (Patient Registration Form, PRF-SF). Of 518,212 patients, 4,182 were referred to C-L services (referral rate = 0.72%). Typical consultations were for female patients (60.1%), admitted to medical wards (71.5%), aged between 55 and 75. Most interventions were carried out within 2 days, while a minority (22%) were urgent requests. Gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders, and unexplained medical symptoms were the most frequent ICD-9 somatic diagnoses at admission. One third of the patients were not informed of having been referred to C-L and half of them had a lifetime history of psychiatric disturbances. Most frequent ICD-10 psychiatric diagnoses were neurotic, stress-related and somatoform syndromes (33.1%), affective disorders (19.4%) and organic mental syndromes (10.7%). Two-thirds of the patients were given only one consultation while the reminder received 2 to 4 follow-up visits. The rate of transfer to psychiatric wards was low (2.1%). Psychopharmacological treatment was suggested in 65% of cases and 75.5% of the patients were referred to community psychiatric care at discharge. The implications of the findings are discussed.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
