Psychiatric disorders in medical in-patients - a study in a teaching hospital

The rate of psychiatric morbidity in medical in-patients suffering from chronic physical illness is reported to be quite high. In this study, patients with chronic medical illness showed psychiatric morbidity at the rate of 52.5%. According to DSM-IV criteria, the most common diagnosable psychiatric disorder was depressive disorder- 25% mild, 65% moderate and 10% severe. There were significant differences in rates of psychiatric morbidity by age, sex and type of physical illness. This study emphasises the need for close collaboration between psychiatrists and physicians in the comprehensive care of these patients.