Trends in psychiatric hospitalization and changes in admission patterns in two counties in Denmark from 1977 to 1989

Based on data from the nationwide Danish Psychiatric Case Register, trends in admission rates and treatment-day rates were studied in two Danish counties between 1977 and 1989. During the observation period, the number of available beds in the counties investigated decreased from 1.78 to 1.10 per 1000 inhabitants aged 15 years or more. Over the same period, the admission rates decreased by 20% for in-patients and 38% for day-patients. At the same time, treatment-day rates for in-patients decreased by approximately 50% and treatment-day rates for day-patients by 32%. The decrease was seen in all age groups both for admission rates and treatment-day-rates. Rates for short-term hospitalization showed a steeper decrease than those for long-term hospitalization. For schizophrenia, admission rates increased except among men under 25 years of age, and treatment-day rates decreased in all age groups. Affective disorders, neuroses, personality disorders, and alcohol and drug abuse showed the most pronounced decreases in admission rates and treatment-day rates. The same trend was seen for treatment-day rates for organic disorders. A marked decrease in admission rates was seen in the provincial towns. Treatment-day rates decreased markedly in city areas, and less so in rural areas.