Evaluation of psychiatric conditions in asymptomatic outpatient clinic patients

A significant part of the internal medicine outpatient clinic burden consists of patients who are asymptomatic and intend to have routine check-up tests. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between visit frequency within a year and the undiagnosed anxiety, depressive mood or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

We included in our study 129 participants who applied for routine check-up tests to our hospital's internal medicine outpatient clinic, without any complaint and known diseases. Individuals were divided into two groups: Group 1 comprised individuals who applied once a year, whereas Group 2 included those who applied more than once a year. Participants underwent routine blood testing, and their mental health was assessed with the Beck`s Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck`s Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Vancouver Obsessinal Compulsive Inventory (VOCI).

66% of the 129 participants included in the study were female (n = 85/44, p < 0.001). When laboratory parameters were examined, no significant difference was found except serum vitamin D levels (14.5/19.8 µg/L, p = 0.024, respectively). BDI and BAI scores were statistically significantly higher in Group 2 (10/14, p = 0.032, 11/13.5, p = 0.027, respectively). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of VOCI scores.

Asymptomatic patients who are visiting clinics for routine checkups constitute a significant part of the outpatient clinic workload. Assessing the mental health of patients who are attending frequently might be helpful in reducing this burden as well as in diagnosing and initiating treatment of undiagnosed underlying mental disorders. To ensure timely referrals of these patients to psychiatry, an adequate referral system and awareness of early signs of anxiety and depression among healthcare professionals are needed.