OBJECTIVES: Psychiatric hospitalization though burdensome remains a very important therapeutic option for severely-ill psychiatric patients. Hospitalization in general hospital psychiatry units (GHPU) are often regarded as the best option. A study was carried out with the purpose of assessing socioeconomic and medical variables associated with success and failure of hospitalization. METHODS: A review was performed on sociodemographics and medical data of 1,463 patients admitted to a general hospital's GHPU in the period between 1986 and 1997. Statistical analysis was conducted using univariate and multivariate polythomic logistic regression. RESULTS: In the multivariate analysis three factors were identified as associated to poor hospitalization outcomes (poor condition at discharge and longer hospital stay): age >60 years, poor social functioning, and diagnosis of organic mental disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Although 80% of the patients experienced a considerable symptomatic improvement, a small group benefited less from hospitalization. It is suggestive that these patients would benefit more from psychosocial interventions.
Hospitalization; Length of stay; Inpatients; Psychiatry; Hospitals, general; Psychiatric department, hospital; Socioeconomic factors; Rehabilitation
