Psychiatric Morbidities in Patients with Non-communicable Diseases among Inpatients of Medicine Department in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Kalpana Sharma,Muna Sharma,Govinda Dhungana,Shailendra Adhikari,Archana Bista Pandey

doi:10.31729/jnma.5255

Abstract

Psychiatric morbidities are common among patients with chronic non-communicable diseases. These diseases have high morbidity, mortality, and higher health costs. However, psychiatric conditions are often underdiagnosed and undertreated in our country. This study aimed to find out the psychiatric morbidities among patients with non-communicable diseases admitted in inpatients units of the medicine department. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the inpatients of the medicine department of a tertiary care hospital among 926 patients with chronic non-communicable diseases. Ethical approval was obtained from the Chitwan Medical College Institutional Review Committee (Ref.No.IRC:2074/75:38). A convenient sampling technique was used. Patients were interviewed using the Patients Health Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16. Among 926 non-communicable disease patients, psychiatric morbidities observed were somatization 612 (66.1%) anxiety 319 (34.4%), and depression 379 (40.9%). Patients with multiple non-communicable diseases had higher psychiatric morbidities compared to patients with a single disease. Psychiatric morbidities are common among admitted patients suffering from non-communicable diseases in Nepal. Hence, regular screening services are needed in all levels of health care centers to identify and treat the risk groups on time.

Highlights

Psychiatric morbidities are common among patients with chronic non-communicable diseases
Psychiatric morbidities are common among admitted patients suffering from noncommunicable diseases in Nepal
Our study revealed that the psychiatric morbidities are common among the patients suffering from chronic Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes mellitus (DM), HTN, coronary artery diseases (CAD), chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Summary

Introduction

Psychiatric morbidities are common among patients with chronic non-communicable diseases. These diseases have high morbidity, mortality, and higher health costs. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of deaths globally.[1] It accounts for more than 85% of premature deaths occurred in low and middleincome countries.[2] Psychiatric morbidities such as depression and anxiety are high in NCDs patients.[3,4] They are collectively responsible for 72% of all deaths.[5] The co-existence of psychiatric disorders with NCDs has important implications on quality of life, general well-being, cost of treatment and general longevity of the patient.[3,6]. In Nepal, NCDs accounts for 66% of deaths in 2016.7 The prevalence of mental disorders is higher among physically ill patients (31.7%)[8] compared to healthy adults (13.2%).[9] These conditions are underdiagnosed and undertreated in our country due to social stigma. There is limited literature on the prevalence of mental disorders among patients with NCDs

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