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Patterns of comorbidity in relation to functioning (GAF) among general hospital psychiatric referrals
Author(s) -
Alaja R.,
Tienari P.,
Seppä K.,
Tuomisto M.,
Leppävuori A.,
Huyse F. J.,
Herzog T.,
Malt U. F.,
Lobo A.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1999.tb07211.x
Subject(s) - psychosocial , psychiatry , dual diagnosis , psychological intervention , comorbidity , medicine , mental health , prevalence of mental disorders , global assessment of functioning , psychiatric comorbidity , general hospital , clinical psychology , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , pediatrics
Improvement of services for physically ill patients with concurrent psychiatric problems is a noteworthy issue in general hospitals. Among 1249 general hospital in‐patients referred for psychiatric consultation, concurrent mental and behavioural disorders (ICD‐10) were diagnosed in 84% of cases. Any concurrent mental and behavioural disorder was associated with dramatically low functioning (GAF = 46), indicating serious psychosocial impairment. This is a striking new finding of clinical importance. The effect on functioning was similar for substance use disorders, other mental disorders, and combined mental and substance use disorders (dual diagnoses), with no gender differences. This finding highlights the need for specialized interventions among general hospital in‐patients referred for psychiatric consultation.