Mental health problems are amongst the most frequent health problems throughout life and they interfere deeply with physical wellbeing. This study investigated the prevalence and impact of psychiatric comorbidities in a general hospital in the National Health Service.
Methods
A single-centre cross-sectional study of all inpatients during a 1-week period.
Results
The prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity was 11.8% in 2,444 inpatients. These patients had higher inpatient mortality (8.7 vs 3.3%; p < 0.001), 30-day readmission rates (24.7 vs 9.7%; p < 0.001), length of stay (mean 16.7 vs 5 days; p < 0.001), admission numbers (mean 1.3 vs 0.6; p < 0.001) and emergency department presentations in the year prior to their index admission (mean 2.3 vs 1.1; p < 0.001). A total of 86.2% were admitted via emergency medicine, with peaks on Saturdays and Tuesdays, in the afternoon and around midnight.
Conclusion
This detailed account of psychiatric comorbidity in a general hospital shows a significant prevalence of mental health problems and its effect in a large general hospital serving a mixed urban and rural population in the UK.
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