Psychological comorbidity and length of stay in the general hospital

Article Abstract:

Psychological factors that may prolong hospital stay were evaluated by studying 278 inpatients in a teaching hospital. A prospective study design was utilized, which statistically controlled for variables previously linked to longer hospitalizations, such as age. The patients, who were from four medical floors, four surgical floors and one gynecology floor, were evaluated during their third to fifth hospital day, and given a battery of tests to assess psychological and physical symptoms, depression, organic mental state (e.g. dementia) and anxiety. Nurses rated each patient's degree of physical impairment. The patients ranged in age from 18 to 83 years. They were primarily female (54 percent), Caucasian (84 percent) and married (67 percent). Data analysis revealed that longer stay was significantly related to dementia, depression and anxiety. Greater physical impairment was significantly related to both longer hospital stay and mental state organicity, depression, paranoia and obsessive-compulsive traits. Patients who had been admitted on an emergency basis also had significantly longer hospital stays than patients who were admitted on an elective basis. The finding that depression, anxiety and mental state organicity during the first week of hospitalization predicted longer hospital stays indicates a need for screening approaches and early therapeutic interventions. The inclusion of psychiatric consultation-liaison services in future research endeavors is recommended. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Psychological aspects, Usage, Hospital patients, Hospital utilization, Hospital stays, Psychiatric facilities, Psychiatric disability evaluation

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The comorbidity of borderline personality disorder and other DSM-III-R axis II personality disorders

Article Abstract:

Borderline personality disorder is frequently diagnosed and studied. The symptoms of borderline personality disorder usually overlap with those of other personality disorders, and it is rarely present by itself. Despite the fact that psychiatric diagnostic methods allow for multiple diagnoses, multiple diagnosis of personality disorders is rarely encountered. The present study looked at the comorbidity of borderline personality disorder and other personality disorders in 110 psychiatric patients. Overlap in symptoms between the disorders was investigated as well, and diagnostic boundaries and the descriptive validity of the diagnosis was measured. All personality symptoms were rated for each subject and each underwent a structured personality inventory. Of the 110 subjects, 22 met the criteria for borderline personality disorder. Of the 22 borderlines, 18 had at least one additional personality disorder. Overlap in symptoms between disorders was significant. It is therefore concluded that borderline personality disorder is a broad, heterogeneous diagnostic category, with unclear boundaries. Two groups of borderline patients emerged: those with additional features of paranoid, histrionic, narcissistic, and antisocial personality disorders, and those with additional features of schizoid, schizotypal, avoidant, obsessive-compulsive, and self-defeating personality disorders. The classification system used for borderline personality disorder is in need of refinement. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Evaluation, Diagnosis, Personality disorders, Borderline personality disorder, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Book)

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Sildenafil for sexual dysfunction in women taking antidepressants

Article Abstract:

Sildenafil has been used to treat sexual dysfunction in a group of 10 women taking antidepressants. Reversal of sexual dysfunction was reported as complete or very significant by nine of the ten women.

Sexual disorders, Drug therapy, Antidepressants, Sildenafil

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