Retrospective Analysis of Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Emergency Department Psychiatric Patients

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this investigation is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the demographic attributes, psychiatric diagnoses, and grounds for seeking psychiatric consultation among patients who are admitted to the emergency department of our medical facility. The objective of this study is to offer significant insights into the requirements of patients with psychiatric emergencies in the emergency department by scrutinizing the data obtained from psychiatric consultations. Materials and Methods: The study encompassed individuals aged 18 years and above who sought psychiatric consultation in the emergency department between April 2022-2023. The patients were classified based on the following conditions: anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis, alcohol and substance abuse, conversion disorder, suicidal ideation or attempt, or other disorders. Results: The study sample comprised of 393 individuals, out of which 181 (46.1%) were identified as female and 212 (53.9%) as male. The study revealed that anxiety was observed in 28.5% of the sample. Additionally, bipolar disorder was identified in 27 participants, while depression was present in 49 individuals, representing 12.5% of the sample. Lastly, conversion disorder was detected in 5 participants. The prevalence of suicidal ideation among patients who have either attempted or expressed thoughts of suicide was found to be 47% for women and 36.3% for men. Conclusion: The present investigation enhances our comprehension of the demographic characteristics and mental health condition of those who seek emergency psychiatric assistance. This data has the potential to enhance clinical practice by facilitating the delivery of suitable evaluation, intervention, and assistance.

Keywords

• emergency
• psychiatric patients
• consultation

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