Publication:

Morbidity patterns of psychiatric disorders among patients attending psychiatry OPD in a tertiary care hospital of upper Assam: a retrospective study

Background Understanding the burden of psychiatric disorders in a tertiary care hospital is crucial for healthcare planning and resource allocation. Identifying common diagnoses helps to tailor outpatient services to address patient needs and ensure optimal management of psychiatric illnesses. The present study aims to assess the morbidity pattern and distribution of cases attending the Psychiatry OPD at Jorhat Medical College, Assam, and also study the referral patterns from other departments.

Methods The study was a retrospective cross-sectional study, where data was collected from OPD register of the Psychiatric Department of Jorhat Medical College. Data on age, gender, religion, department-wise referral, and diagnosis (as per ICD-10 criteria) were obtained. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Version 21.0.

Results A total of 4,350 patients were included in the study. Substance use disorders were the most prevalent diagnosis (26%), with alcohol use disorder being the most common among them (20%). Schizophrenia, schizotypal, and delusional disorders accounted for 15.8%, with schizophrenia being the most frequent (8.9%). Mood disorders and neurotic, stress-related disorders were diagnosed in 5.8% and 25.3% of patients, respectively. The majority of patients (77.4%) were self-referred, while 22.6% were referred from other departments.

Conclusions The study highlights the significant burden of substance use disorders and schizophrenia among psychiatric OPD attendees. The high rate of self-referrals indicates a considerable level of awareness among the patients. The referrals from other departments underscore the interrelationship between physical and mental health, emphasizing the need for integrated care.