[Extent of chronicity in a region of Vaud]

An epidemiologic inquiry was undertaken among the 1,116 users of the psychiatric institutions in the eastern psychiatric sector of the Canton of Vaud for the year 1978. The purpose of the survey was to obtain data on the incidence of chronicity in the psychiatric institutions of the above-mentioned sector (one hospital, one ambulatory centre). The author considered as chronics (1) all patients who consulted, at least, three years consecutively and (2) all patients who were considered as chronic by their therapists. Chronic patients are found mainly among the psychotics and the aged, without sex distinction. Chronic patients are seen in the ambulatory as often as non chronic patients, but it should be noted that chronic patients have longer hospitalizations. It should also be noted that the age category (older than 65 years) and the diagnostic categories (organic, psychotic), in which chronics are mainly found, corresponds to the same category of patients to which the ambulatory therapists devote shorter interviews.