[Length of psychiatric hospitalizations: a clinical and socio-demographic characterization]. / Duración de las internaciones psiquiátricas: una caracterización clínica y socio-demográfica.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical, socio-demographic, and therapeutic variables associated with the length of hospitalization in a psychiatric emergency hospital in Buenos Aires City. METHOD: The present retrospective analytical study included 350 consecutively admitted patients aged 18-65, from June 2013 until December 2017 in a public psychiatric hospital in Buenos Aires City. Data collected included socio-demographic, clinical and discharge conditions. RESULTS: Variables that predicted the length of hospitalization were: diagnosis of psychosis, the use of lithium and anticonvulsants, unemployment, no economic autonomy, not have formed a family and have modified the living support group during the hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The representative of social and economic vulnerability variables were associated with the utilization of psychiatric inpatient beds. Public policies are requested to interrupt the relationship between poverty and mental pathology.