Psychiatric diagnoses and their influencing factors in patients complaining of sleep problems: A study of a psychiatric consultation-liaison service

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to identify misdiagnosed or undiagnosed psychiatric disorders and the factors associated with these disorders in patients with sleep problems who are referred to a consultation-liaison service.

Method

Records of all inpatients receiving a consultation from the Psychiatry Department between January and December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Psychiatric diagnoses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the factors associated with the risk of these disorders in patients with sleep problems were determined by multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results

Of the 331 referral patients whose referral reason was simply having trouble in sleeping, only 97 patients were diagnosed with primary sleep disorder after consultation. The recognition rate of psychiatric disorders in inpatients with sleep problems among nonpsychiatric physicians was 29.3%. Anxiety (107, 45.7%) was the most common psychiatric diagnosis in patients with sleep problems followed by organic mental disorder (83, 35.5%), depression (37, 15.8%), and other mental disorders (8, 3.4%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that a course >1 month (OR = 3.656, 95% CI = 2.171–6.156, p = 0.000) and sleep–wake rhythm disturbances (OR = 25.008, 95% CI = 5.826–107.341, p = 0.000) were associated with increased risks of psychiatric disorders.

Conclusions

The study showed that recognition rate of psychiatric disorders in inpatients with sleep problems was very low. A course >1 month and sleep–wake rhythm disturbances were associated with increased risks of disorders and could be used as indicators by nonpsychiatric physicians to improve diagnoses.

Keywords

mental disorders psychiatric diagnosis insomnia sleep–wake rhythm consultation

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