Analysis of Dermatologic Consultations in Neuropsychiatric Inpatients

Hwang, Sang Hyeon; Nam, Jae Hui; Park, Ji Hye; Lee, Ga Young; Kim, Won Serk

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Many patients seeking treatment for skin disorders have an underlying psychiatric problem that either causes or exacerbates a skin condition; thus, the demand for dermatologists' expert opinions on such cases is increasing.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to analyze and quantify the pattern of dermatologic consultations referred by the department of neuropsychiatry in a tertiary hospital.
METHODS
We retrospectively studied data from 337 inpatients referred by the department of neuropsychiatry for dermatologic consultation during an 8.5-year period in a tertiary hospital.
RESULTS
The percentage of department of neuropsychiatry patients who were referred to the department of dermatology for consultation was 15.3%. The most prevalent age group for referrals was 30~39 years (26.4%), and the male-to-female ratio was 1:1.6. Bipolar disorder was the most common underlying neuropsychiatric problem (31.1%), and eczema (36.5%) was the most common dermatoses, followed by infectious disease (27.6%). The main reasons for dermatologic consultations were dermatologic disease (71.5%) and treatment-related dermatoses (10.1%). Thirty-five cases were discordant as to the reason for consultation between psychiatrists and dermatologists. Neuropsychiatric medication-related adverse reactions were reported in 9.8% of referred patients.
CONCLUSION
This study revealed the distribution of skin disorders in patients referred by department of neuropsychiatry for dermatologic consultation. We believe its findings could be helpful as educational material to encourage cooperation between the specialties of dermatology and neuropsychiatry.