Psychiatric morbidity among children who are frequent attenders in general practice

This two-part cross-sectional study set out to determine the frequency and nature of psychiatric disorder among children aged seven to 12 years who were frequent attenders at one of two general practices. The first part of the study was an interview survey with a sample of 109 children who attended frequently (four or more times in one year) and 23 children who had not attended in one year. Descriptive information from a structured parental interview was used to diagnose childhood psychiatric disorder. The second part of the study was a postal survey with a sample of 194 children selected independently of frequency of attendance. The children's score on a parental screening questionnaire was used to determine probable psychiatric disorder. The response rates were 78% and 75% for the interview and postal studies, respectively. Of the children aged seven to 12 years registered with the two practices 21% were found to be frequent attenders. Attendances by frequent attenders accounted for 51% of all attendances in this age group. Psychiatric disorder was more common among frequent attenders than non-attenders (29% versus 9%, P < 0.05). Most of the psychiatric disorders were of an emotional nature (63%). The postal survey revealed that 15% of the children in this age group had a probable psychiatric disorder. It can therefore be estimated that 40% of children in the population with psychiatric disorder were frequent attenders.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)