Pattern and prevalence of psychiatric disorders among patients attending dermatology OPD

Consideration of psychiatric and psychosocial factors is important for the management and prevention of dermatologic disorders. Dermatology patients suffer commonly from psychiatric comorbidity.

To study pattern and prevalence of psychiatric disorders among patient attending dermatology OPD.

The study was carried out in Psychiatry department of NIMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, a north State of India. The sample was taken from Dermatology department of Medical College. All the participants were diagnosed/confirmed cases of skin diseases. Socio-demographic data was collected. Patients scoring more than 12 on GHQ were examined for presence of psychiatric illness. Clinical interview & Mental Status Examination (MSE) of these patients was carried out to ascertain diagnosis according to ICD-10.

As per ICD-10 diagnosis 34.2% of total sample were diagnosed with definite Psychiatric comorbidity. Maximum number of cases were of Depression 36.32% (N=146) followed by Anxiety disorder 18.41% (74) and 7.96% (N=32) with Somatoform disorder. Obsessive compulsive disorder was diagnosed in 6.47% (N=26) followed by Adjustment disorder 4.98% (N=20) and Alcohol dependence syndrome 4.98% (N=20). Minimum number of cases belonged to Schizophrenia 2.99% (N=12) and Bipolar Affective Disorder 2.99% (N=12). No diagnosis was found in 14.93% (N=60).

Significant psychiatric comorbidity exists in patients of dermatology. Biopsychosocial approach to patients with skin disease should be sought by liaison between psychiatrist and dermatologist.