Background
The study of the relation between general medical conditions (GMC) and psychiatric disorders is of great importance. Many psychiatric patients have symptoms of GMC, and several patients with medical disorders experienced psychiatric symptoms. The overlapping of psychiatric and medical symptoms could affect the diagnosis and choice of appropriate treatment plan.
Objective
To explore the relation between GMC and psychiatric disorders in outpatient psychiatric clinic.
Patients and methods
Psychiatric patients were recruited from the attendees of psychiatric outpatient clinic in Minia University Hospital. Participants were interviewed based on Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory investigations were done to diagnose the associated GMC.
Results
The mean age of our patients was 32.8±14.1 years, and 41% of the studied patients had at least one comorbid GMC. The most prevalent was overweight (41%) and the least was diabetes mellitus (15.7%). A significant association was found between comorbid GMC and low socioeconomic status (P<0.024) and sedentary lifestyle (P<0.001). Obesity and ischemic heart disease were significantly associated with psychiatric disorders (P<0.001).
Conclusion
Psychiatric outpatients of Minia University Hospital have high rates of comorbid GMC. Medical assessments of patients with psychiatric disorders yield important medical prognostic information