Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The increased need for liaison psychiatry in surgical patients due to the high prevalence of undiagnosed anxiety and depression

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Irish Journal of Medical Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Depression is the most common mental disease in patients hospitalized with physical illness. Disorders of anxiety and depression in general hospitals are frequently underdiagnosed and inappropriately treated.

Aim

To assess the prevalence of undiagnosed anxiety and depression in surgical inpatients and assess the referral rate and utilization of liaison psychiatry services.

Methods

A prospective study of surgical admissions (n = 96) to two surgical services at two separate institutions between 01/01/05 and 31/12/05. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HADS) scale was used to evaluate all patients.

Results

About 12.5% of patients had significant depression, 18.75% had significant anxiety, and 8.3% had significant mixed anxiety and depression. About 22.9% of patients warranted referral to liaison psychiatry services for further assessment and management.

Conclusions

Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent in surgical inpatients. An increased awareness of the possibility of undiagnosed psychiatric disorders is required, along with prompt and appropriate use of liaison psychiatry services.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kessler RC, Berglund P, Demler O, Jin R, Koretz D, Merikangas KR, Rush AJ, Walters EE, Wang PS (2003) National Comorbidity survey replication. The epidemiology of major depressive disorder: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). JAMA 2003 289(23):3095–3105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Simon GE, Von Korff M, Lin E (2005) Clinical and functional outcomes of depression treatment in patients with and without chronic medical illness. Psychol Med 35(2):271–279

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Smaira SI, Kerr-Correa F, Contel JO (2003) Psychiatric disorders and psychiatric consultation in a general hospital: a case- control study. Rev Bras Psiquiatr 25(1):18–25

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Koenig HG, Blazer DG (1992) Epidemiology of geriatric affective disorders. Clin Geriatr Med 8(2):235–251

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Silverstone PH, Lemay T, Elliot J, Hsu V, Starko R (1996) The prevalence of major depressive disorder and low self-esteem in medical inpatients. Can J Psychiatry 41(2):67–74

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Huyse FJ, Herzog T, Lobo A, Malt UF, Opmeer BC, Stein B, de Jonge P, van Dijck R, Creed F, Crespo MD, CArdso G, Guimaraes-Lopes R, Mayou R, Van Moffaert M, Rigatelli M, Sakkas P, Tienari P (2001) Consultation-Liaison psychiatric service delivery: results from a European study. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 23(3):124–132

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Koenig HG, George LK, Meader KG (1997) Use of antidepressants by nonpsychiatrists in the treatment of medically ill hospitalized depressed elderly patients. Am J Psychiatry 154(10):1369–1375

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Oldridge N, Gottlieb M, Guyatt G, Jones N, Streiner D, Feeny D (1998) Predictors of health related quality of life with cardiac rehabilitation after acute myocardial infarction. J Cardiopulm Rehabil 18(2):95–103

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Fruhwald S, Loffler H, Eher R, Saletu B, Baumhackl U (2001) Relationship between depression, anxiety and quality of life: a study of stroke patients compared to chronic low back pain and myocardial ischemia patients. Psychopathology 34(1):50–56

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Shavitt RG, Gentil V, Mandetta R (1992) The association of panic/agoraphobia and asthma. Contributing factors and clinical implications. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 14(6):420–423

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Carroll BT, Kathol RG, Noyes R Jr, Wald TG, Clamon GH (1993) Screening for depression and anxiety in cancer patients using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 15(2):69–74

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Montano CB (1994) Recognition and treatment of depression in a primary care setting. J Clin Psychiatry 55(Suppl):18–34; Discussion 35–37

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Rothenhausler HB (2006) Mental disorders in general hospital patients. Psychiatr Danub 18(3–4):183–192

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Simon GE, Khandker RK, Ichikawa L, Operskalski BH (2006) Recovery from depression predicts lower health services costs. J Clin Psychiatry 67(8):1226–1231

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. American Psychiatric Association (1994) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th edn. American Psychiatric Association, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  16. Simon GE, Von Korff M (2006) Medical co-morbidity and DSM-ΙV criteria. Psychol Med 36(1):27–36.2005

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Liaison Psychiatry Service, Department of Psychiatry, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles St, Dublin 7, Ireland

    A. M. Ni Mhaolain & J. Sheehan

  2. Department of Surgery, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles St, Dublin 7, Ireland

    J. S. Butler

  3. Department of Surgery, Mullingar General Hospital, Westmeath, Ireland

    P. F. Magill

  4. Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles St, Dublin 7, Ireland

    A. E. Wood

  5. Department of Psychiatry, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Eccles St, Dublin 7, Ireland

    A. M. Ni Mhaolain

Authors
  1. A. M. Ni Mhaolain
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. S. Butler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. F. Magill
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A. E. Wood
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J. Sheehan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. M. Ni Mhaolain.

Additional information

Presented at Royal College of Psychiatrists Annual Meeting 2007, Edinburgh, June 2007. 15th European Congress on Psychiatry, Madrid, March 2007.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ni Mhaolain, A.M., Butler, J.S., Magill, P.F. et al. The increased need for liaison psychiatry in surgical patients due to the high prevalence of undiagnosed anxiety and depression. Ir J Med Sci 177, 211–215 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-008-0124-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-008-0124-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation