Korean J Psychosom Med.  2011 Jun;19(1):28-33.

Psychiatric Consultation for 5 Years in a University Hospital

• Kim SW
• Kim SY
• Kim SJ
• Kim JM
• Shin IS
• Yoon JS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the pattern of psychiatric consultation-liaison in a new general hospital over a 5-year period. METHOD: Retrospective chart review was conducted for psychiatric consultations performed from May 2004 to December 2008 in a new general hospital in Hwasun, Korea.
RESULTS
A total of 1,852 patients who were referred to the Department of Psychiatry for consultation were included in the analysis. The main reasons for psychiatric consultation were changes in mental status(20.5%), depression(16.8%), insomnia(12.8%), and anxiety(7.9%). Psychiatric consultations were conducted with diagnoses of delirium(39.7%), depressive disorder(28.2%), adjustment disorder(7.9%), and anxiety disorder(4.1%). Patients with delirium were significantly older than were those with other psychiatric diagnoses(p<0.001). Delirium was more common in male patients than in female patients(47.1% vs. 29.9%, respectively), and depression was more common in female patients than in male patients(48.3% vs. 33.9%, respectively)(p<0.001). Delirium was more common in patients who underwent surgical operation than those who did not(p=0.010).
CONCLUSION
Delirium was the most common diagnosis for psychiatric consultation followed by depression in a university hospital. Delirium was more prevalent in men than in women, while depression was more common in women.

Keyword

Consultation; Psychiatry; Delirium; Depression; Hospital

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Delirium
Depression
Female
Hospitals, General
Humans
Male
Referral and Consultation
Retrospective Studies