Patterns of psychiatric diagnoses in inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings in Saudi Arabia

Fahad D Alosaimi,Abdulhadi Alhabbad,Abdulaziz Qrmli,Mohammed Abalhassan,Ebtihaj Fallata,Nasser Alzain,Saeed Asiri

doi:10.1590/0101-60830000000124

Fahad D Alosaimi, Abdulhadi Alhabbad + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-60830000000124

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Abstract

Abstract Objective This study aimed to explore the current patterns of psychiatric diagnoses in inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings in Saudi Arabia. Methods Cross-sectional study was conducted on patients seeking psychiatric advice at six hospitals in the five main regions of Saudi Arabia. The data were primarily obtained by reviewing patient charts. Results Total of 1,205 patients were recruited. The majority was unemployed (71.4%), had a low level of education (85.5%), and had low income (61.9%). The most common psychiatric diagnoses among inpatients were schizophrenia (55.8%), bipolar disorder (23.3%) and major depressive disorder (7.2%). The most common psychiatric diagnoses among outpatients were major depressive disorder (29.3%), schizophrenia (28.9%), generalized anxiety disorder (15.6%) and bipolar disorder (11.5%). Primary psychotic disorders and secondary psychiatric disorders were significantly more frequent among men whereas primary bipolar disorders and depressive disorders were significantly more frequent among women in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Psychotic and bipolar disorders were significantly more frequent among younger patients whereas depressive disorders were significantly more frequent among older patients; anxiety disorders were of similar frequency in all age groups. Discussion The most common psychiatric diagnoses among inpatients were schizophrenia and bipolar disorder whereas the most common psychiatric diagnoses among outpatients were major depressive disorder and schizophrenia.

Highlights

Mental and substance use disorders are the leading causes of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), accounting for 7.4% of all DALYs worldwide[1]
This study aimed to explore the current patterns of psychiatric diagnoses in inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings in Saudi Arabia
Our study suggests that more than half of the psychiatric patients receiving treatment in psychiatric settings in Saudi Arabia are unmarried approximately three-quarters of the patients had at least one child

Summary

Introduction

Mental and substance use disorders are the leading causes of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), accounting for 7.4% of all DALYs worldwide[1]. The burden of mental and substance-use disorders increased by 37.6% between 1990 and 2010; for most disorders, this increase was driven by population growth and aging[1]. 14.3% of deaths worldwide each year and approximately 10 years of potential life lost are attributable to mental disorders[2]. In the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013 (GBD 2013), major depressive disorder was the leading cause of Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) in every country[3]. Alcohol- and drug-use disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and dysthymia rank among the 20 conditions that contribute the largest global share of YLDs. The aggregate burden of YLDs resulting from mental and behavioral disorders (22.7%) continues to be higher than the burden resulting from any other disease category[4]

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Conclusion