Psychiatric problems in returning travelers: features and associations

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Travel Medicine
• Global Health

Background:

• Psychological issues are increasingly recognized in travelers returning from tropical regions.
• Existing literature on the characteristics and contributing factors of these mental health conditions is scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the features and associations of psychological problems in travelers returning from the tropics.
• To understand the common presentations, potential triggers, and treatment outcomes for these conditions.

Main Methods:

• A case series analysis of 15 consecutive returning travelers presenting with psychiatric issues.
• Data collected over an 8-year period from a dedicated psychiatric service.

Main Results:

• The study group comprised individuals with a median age of 25, predominantly male (10/15), with trip durations varying from 10 days to 8.5 months.
• Anxiety was the most frequent presentation (n=11), followed by acute psychosis (n=3) and depression (n=1); none had prior psychopathology.
• Illicit drug use was reported by 8 travelers, acting as a probable trigger in 5 cases, while antimalarials were implicated in 3.

Conclusions:

• Psychiatric problems in tropical travelers are diverse, multifactorial, and strongly associated with drug abuse.
• Treatment can be lengthy and intensive, necessitating improved traveler education on the risks of illicit substance use.