A hospital population of schizophrenic patients undergoing change.

Abstract

From a census investigation in 1953 at the Aarhus Psychiatric Hospital, 393 schizophrenic patients were selected (Population 53, P53) and compared with 282 schizophrenics from the 1962 census at the hospital (Population 62, P62). Through hospital records and the central psychiatric register in Denmark, the population from 1953 was followed for 18 years, the 1962 population for 9 years. At admission it appeared that few of the patients had ever married. This was patriculary so for the males. The males were also found to belong to a lower social group than would have been the case in a sample from the general Danish population. In 1962 more patients had obtained State Disability Pension before admission than the 1953 population. More than two-thirds of all admitted schizophrenic patients were in psychiatric hospital within 3 months after onset of illness. Around two-thirds were admitted upon the request of relatives. In the investigated period the expenses for medicine per patient had increased eightfold, whereas expenses for food had less than doubled. Only 15% of the schizophrenic patients in the investigated populations were discharged to their homes. Four per cent were discharged to a nursing home; 22% had died. Of the 15% discharged to their homes, about 50% were readmitted for some time at a later period. In 1962, however, many more patients were discharged after less than 2 years of hospital stay than was the case for the 1953 population. The readmission rates increased from 38% in the 1953 population to 62% in the 1962 population.