[Admissions of persons aged 17-49 years to non-psychiatric departments]

Based upon data from the Danish National Patient Register, the number of somatic admissions during the period 1977-1984 was summed up in two municipalities with an average annual population of 30,426 persons in the age group 17-49 years. 38% of the male population and 48% of the female population in this age group had been admitted at least once during the period (excl. pregnancy conditions). 1% of the population had more than nine admissions which was 18% of all admissions. 4.5% had more than four admissions which was 38% of all admissions. No difference was observed as regards sex, and age was of minor importance for the frequency of admissions. A significant statistical association was found between the number of admissions and abuse, suicidal attempts, and psychiatric illness. About half of the patients (males 56%, females 43%) with more than nine admissions were discharged with one of the "non-organic" diagnoses on at least one occasion. Patients with "non-organic" diseases had an average of 5.2 admissions during the period compared with the other diagnoses with an average of 2.7 which was 20% of all admissions. There were more males with abuse diagnoses and a majority of 30-49 year-olds among the cases of psychiatric illnesses. Apart from this, no significant differences as regards sex and age were found among these diagnostic groups.