Factors associated with frequent psychiatric admissions in a general hospital in Spain

Abstract

Objectives: To identify demographic or clinical factors associated with frequent admissions in a sample of patients admitted to an acute psychiatric hospitalization unit, controlling for potentially confounding factors.

Methods: Socio-demographic variables, diagnosis, and the legal status, date and length of admission were collected for 1,722 consecutively admitted psychiatric patients during a period of up to eight years (1998-2005). Frequently admitted patients were defined as undergoing one or more admissions per year on average.

Results: After controlling for potential confounding factors, logistic regression showed that being a frequently admitted patient was significantly associated with diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder, personality disorder or schizophrenia; an involuntary commitment at first admission; and younger age.

Conclusions: Factors associated with frequently admitted patients should be identified in order to establish more effective strategies for preventing relapse.