Physical illnesses among psychiatric outpatients in a tertiary care health institution: A prospective study.

Background: The recognition of physical illnesses by mental health professionals has important clinical implications.

Aim: This study aimed to find the nature and prevalence of associated physical illnesses in psychiatric outpatients.

Methods: Two hundred fifty consecutive psychiatric outpatients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the study were assessed in detail for associated physical illnesses. A conclusive physical diagnosis was based on the clinical history, general physical examination and investigation reports.

Results: Forty-eight per cent of the patients were found to have associated physical illnesses. In about one-fifth of the total sample (n=51; 20.4%) the associated physical illness was diagnosed for the first time. Hypertension (29.1%), respiratory diseases (15%), anaemia (12.5%), diabetes mellitus (10%) and liver diseases (5.8%) were some common physical illnesses found in these patients.

Conclusion: Common physical illnesses of psychiatric patients can be detected mostly by a careful history-taking checklist and physical examination. Psychiatrists must inculcate the habit of conducting a general physical examination of their psychiatric patients.