Patients with psychoactive substance use disorders treated in a psychiatric emergency unit

Vitoria M Padilha,Renata C S Azevedo,Amilton Dos Santos-Júnior,Carolina S S Schettini

doi:10.11606/issn.2176-7262.v49i2p143-151

Vitoria M Padilha, Renata C S Azevedo + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2176-7262.v49i2p143-151

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Abstract

Study type: Prevalence study. Objective: To describe the socio demographic and clinical profile of patients with mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance (PAS) use, evaluated by the Psychiatric team of the Referenced Emergency Unit (REU) at the State University Clinical Hospital of Campinas (UNICAMP-HC). Methods and casuistic: This is a descriptive and quantitative study, which analyzed patients with mental and behavioral disorders due to PAS use, evaluated by the Psychiatric team of the REU-HC-UNICAMP during a period of 12 months, starting on May 2010. Results: There were evaluated 350 patients with PAS related disorders, representing 23.8% of those who sought psychiatric care. Most were males and younger than other patients of the emergency unit. The main reason for seeking help was psychiatric complaint other than PAS related disorders (23.1%), followed by desire to be treated oneself/being admitted to inpatient psychiatric treatment (20.8%) and intoxication (12.5%); 38.5% had a diagnosis of multiple PAS dependence and 34.8% were diagnosed with isolated alcohol dependence; 36% had psychiatric comorbidities and, when compared to other patients, they received more medications during attendance and were less directed to primary care units. Conclusion: There is a high rate of consultations of patients with PAS related problems in the psychiatric emergency unit. Data on the profile of the evaluated these patients can contribute to the improvement of care to this population

Highlights

Consumption and dependence on psychoactive substances (PAS) represent an important risk factor for several diseases globally
The objective of this study is to describe the demographic and clinical profile of patients with disorders related to the use of psychoactive substances (PAS) attended by the Referenced Emergency Unit (REU) of the State University Clinical Hospital of Campinas (UNICAMP-Hospital de Clínicas (HC))
Excluding those under 18 years of age, 350 (23.8% of the total attended by Psychiatry) were studied. 16 of these patients had disorders related to the use of PAS as comorbidity

Summary

Introduction

Consumption and dependence on psychoactive substances (PAS) represent an important risk factor for several diseases globally. A report of the World Health Organization indicated that 9% of the global volume of diseases result from the consumption of PAS.[1] It is estimated that psychoactive substances, both licit and illicit, contributed with 12.4 % of all deaths worldwide in 2000, and the percentage of years lost due to the use of these substances is 8.9%.2. 4% of deaths worldwide are attributed to its problematic use, due to trauma, neuropsychiatric disorders, cardiovascular conditions and cancer.[3] The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that in 2010 there were between 99,000 to 253,000 deaths that resulted from the use of illegal drugs.[4] Studies show that PAS users tend to seek the routine and preventive medical care consultations less, seeking preferably hospitals and emergency services to treat both physical and mental problems, triggered by the consumption of PAS.[5]

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