Depression in medical in-patients

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to detect the prevalence of depression in medical inpatients staying for more than one week in the hospital and to assess the possible role of depression in prolonging the stay of the patients in the hospital. Two hundred and ninety eight patients with over a week stay in the hospital were screened for probable depression during three months with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [Depression Subscale] and consequently they were assessed by two psychiatrists twice at 1 week interval with clinical interview and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Final diagnosis was made by using the ICD-30 diagnostic criteria. Depression in some form was detected in 39.26% of the total patients including major depression in 9.73% of the total patients. The hospital stay of the patients showed significant relation with depression. The substantial prevalence of depression with its significant association with longer hospital stay in medical inpatients requires greater cognizance and attention by simple screening instruments like HADS and subsequent liaison with the psychiatrist in selected cases for its appropriate management. This may help in improving the patient's physical and psychological health and reducing the hospital stay and costs. Future sound methodological studies are needed to explore the possible therapeutic and economic benefits of screening the patients in the medical wards for depression